Officials in the Dominican Republic confirmed Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras was legally intoxicated at the time of his fatal car accident last month, reports the Associated Press. Taveras and his girlfriend were killed in a single-car crash on October 26.
Here's more from the Associated Press:
Tessie Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office in the Dominican Republic, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that toxicology reports showed Taveras had a blood-alcohol level five times the legal limit when he lost control of his car Oct. 26 on a highway in Puerto Plata.
She says the 22-year-old Taveras was "legally intoxicated when he crashed."
The Cardinals and GM John Mozeliak issued a statement following the report:
“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. 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.”
Taveras, 22, was considered one of the best prospects in baseball coming into the 2014 season. He hit .239 with three home runs in 80 games this summer, his MLB debut. Taveras hit a game-tying home run in Game 3 of the NLCS two weeks before the accident.
