MIAMI—Jose Fernandez, the ace right-hander for the Miami Marlins who escaped Cuba to become one of baseball’s brightest stars, was killed in a boating accident early Sunday morning. Fernandez was 24.
Authorities said Fernandez was one of three people killed in a crash off Miami Beach.
Chief Petty Officer Nyxolyno Cangemi told The Associated Press that a Coast Guard patrol boat spotted an overturned boat at 3:30 a.m. on a jetty near Government Cut. The bodies were discovered a short time later, and officials said speed played a factor.
“We are devastated by the tragic loss of José Fernández,” the Marlins said in a statement.
A boat lies overturned on a jetty, off Miami Beach, Fla., on Sept. 25, 2016. Authorities said that Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez was one of three people killed in the boat crash early Sunday morning. Fernandez was 24. Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald via AP
