The scene of the boat crash that killed Miami Marlins pitcher. (Miami-Dade Fire Rescue)
Miami Marlins superstar pitcher Jose Fernandez was killedB at the age of 24 in a boat crash off of Miami Beach early Sunday morning, the Coast Guard says.
Two other men, whose names have not been released, were killed in the crash.
The 33-foot boat crashed near Government Cut and South Pointe Park, the Coast Guard said.
“A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Miami was heading out on a law enforcement patrol at approximately 3:30 a.m. Sunday when they passed a jetty along Government Cut and discovered an overturned 33-foot center console boat on the jetty with three deceased aboard,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews also responded and found Fernandez and the two other victims.
“They found a boat that was up against the jetties,” Chief Todd Garofalo told the news station. “They did do an initial search and they found three victims — two on top of the water, one underneath the boat and they had unfortunately passed away.”
Photos from the scene show the overturned boat against the jetties:
The scene of the boat accident that killed Miami Marlins pitcher. (Miami-Dade Fire Rescue)
The crash is being investigated by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Lorenzo Veloz, public information officer for the FWC said at a press conference that speed appears to have been a factor in the crash. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to have played a role in the crash, he said. The boat was headed south when it hit the rocks, Veloz said.
Image of Jose Fernandez crash scene from the Miami Herald. More images at t.co/jOoAXMAiP4
“The jetty is rocks, it’s not very visible,” Veloz said. “But we are aware that vessel has traveled several times through this area, so that person was obviously aware of where they were. Unfortunately, sometimes at night, you deviate, because there are no lights out there and you can’t see anything.”
The accident scene where #Marlins young star pitcher Jose Fernandez died last night. @clarkspencer
Fernandez and the other two victims were not wearing life vests, Veloz said.
The boat is not owned by Fernandez, Veloz said. He added that he has personally stopped the boat in the past for safety checks in the area.
It is not clear when the crash occurred, but it was found about 3:30 a.m. Other details have not yet been released.
Videos also show the scene of the crash:
Fernandez and the other two victims were not wearing life vests, Veloz said.
The boat is not owned by Fernandez, Veloz said. He added that he has personally stopped the boat in the past for safety checks in the area, but Fernandez was never driving.
Jose Fernandez, 24, was killed in an early morning boating accident. (Getty)
Fernandez was one of the best pitchers in baseball, rising quickly to the majors after being drafted in the first round in 2011.
The Marlins have cancelled their game against the Atlanta Braves.
“The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez,” the team said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.”
Fernandez was born in Cuba on July 31, 1992, and defected to the United States in 2007 with his mother and sister.
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Jose Fernandez Boat Accident Photos: Pictures From the Scene