Miami Marlins ace pitcher, Jose Fernandez, was killed off the coast of Miami Beach in Florida in a boating accident.
The 24-year old player was with two other men in a 32-foot boat, according to Lorenzo Veloz spokesman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in a news conference. The two other men also died because of the accident.
Fernandez and others without a life vest
According to reports, the Coast Guard located the capsized 32-foot SeaVee on a jetty along Miami Beach around 3 a.m. Sunday. The report said that two of the victims were under the boat while one was found in the water; all the victims were not wearing life vests.
The Coast Guard report also said that the star pitcher died because of trauma not drowning.
The identities of the two other victims were yet to be announced after their relatives have been notified. Authorities could only reveal that one of the victims was the son of a Miami-Dade detective.
Fernandez and companions may have been speeding
Veloz further said that the group may have been speeding because of the way the boat struck the jetty. They dismissed any alcohol or drug use. The boat belonged to a friend of Fernandez.
Fernandez' death was announced at a game Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. The game was cancelled. In honor of the young player, his uniform number 16 was painted on a mound at Marlins Park. Fans and supporters of the Marlins placed flowers and prayers on the rubber. A moment of silence was observed leaguewide before each Sunday game.
Fernandez will be an all-time Marlins member
David Samson, Marlins President mentioned in a press conference Monday that Jose Fernandez will be commemorated as an all-time member of the Marlins. Samson also said that the game vs. the New York Mets will still commence as scheduled.
Fernandez manager Don Mattingly said that during the news conference confirming Fernandez' death, some players of the team broke down in tears. Players also posted their tributes online.
Life and career
Jose Fernandez was from Santa Clara, Cuba. At a young age of 15 he defected to the U.S. together with his mother and sister. This was his fourth attempt to escape Cuba and was even jailed for a previous failed attempt.
In 2008 he was drafted by the Marlins and this paved the way for his outstanding career as the team's star pitcher. He received the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2013 and has been an All-Star player for two times.
