St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras and his 18-year-old girlfriend were killed in a fatal car crash on October 26 in the Dominican Republic. Weeks after his death, a Dominican Republic official said on Wednesday night that the young prospect was drunk when he lost control of his vehicle.
Taveras, one of the MLB top prospects, was only 22 years old at the time of the fatal incident. He spent 80 games with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 and batted .239/.278/.312 with three home runs and 22 RBIs. In seven postseason games against the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, Taveras was 3-for-7 with one home run and one RBI. He returned home to the Dominican Republic after the Cardinals were eliminated from the postseason and was killed over a week later.
According to Tessie Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the Dominican attorney general's office, toxicology reports revealed that Taveras was drunk when he crashed his Chevy Camaro on a highway in Puerto Plata. Sanchez told the Associated Press his blood alcohol content was five times the country's legal limit. The Cardinals also lost pitcher John Hancock in a drunk driving accident in 2007.
"We have seen the media reports regarding Oscar Taveras that have come out this afternoon, but have yet to receive any official notification from the Dominican," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said on Wednesday night in a statement. "Until we have the opportunity to review the official report, we cannot confirm details. While we are still working to obtain the facts, it won't change the fact that this is a terrible tragedy. We have an obligation to use this as an opportunity to educate our players that they must take responsibility for themselves both on and off the field."
Players across the MLB mourned the tragic death of Taveras, including Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura, who dedicated his start in Game 6 of the World Series to his late friend. Before reaching the major leagues, Taveras slashed .320/.376/.516 in six seasons in the minors.
The Cardinals should be releasing another statement soon when more information is known.
