Former Minor League Player Arrested in Fatal Hit-and-Run

Authorities arrested an 18-year-old former catcher for the Atlanta Braves minor league team on Monday morning. Jonathan Matos Morales, hailing from Cocoa, is suspected of involvement in a fatal hit-and-run incident on a Florida highway.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, troopers located a 2022 Ford Mustang belonging to the Braves parked on a property. Matos-Morales was reportedly handed over to the police by the team after the vehicle was found. He has now been charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a deadly accident.

Matos Morales is currently in custody at the Manatee County Jail.

The Braves issued a statement acknowledging the situation: “We are aware that a former minor league player is under investigation in connection with a fatal accident that occurred yesterday in Manatee County. Our organization is fully cooperating with authorities and will have no further comment at this time. Our condolences go out to the loved ones of everyone involved.”

The hit-and-run incident remains under investigation. It reportedly took place Monday morning on Interstate 75, just south of State Route 64.

Law enforcement indicated that the dark Mustang swerved through traffic before colliding with a Chevrolet Trailblazer, which, according to reports, was then pushed into the path of a semi-truck driven by 34-year-old Stavan Albert Facey.

Trooper Ken Watson remarked, “Obviously when you drive a high-profile vehicle like that early in the morning and fully loaded, you don’t stop for a penny.” Unfortunately, the truck rolled onto its side across all three southbound lanes, resulting in the driver’s death. Facey, who leaves behind four children, was described by his family as a hardworking individual.

Investigators stated that Matos-Morales left the scene after a brief stop, while the driver of the SUV sustained minor injuries.