MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA — An 18-year-old Atlanta Braves minor league catcher has been arrested in connection with the fatal hit-and-run crash on Interstate 75 in Manatee County Monday morning that killed a semi-truck driver and father of four. The Atlanta Braves turned the player in to authorities after spotting his Mustang in their compound.
Florida Highway Patrol arrested Jonathan Matos Morales, 18, of Cocoa, and impounded his 2022 Ford Mustang. He faces charges of vehicular homicide and leaving a crash scene involving death. He has been booked into the Manatee County Jail.
How the Braves Helped Break the Case
After FHP released dashcam video and images of the suspect vehicle, the Atlanta Braves organization recognized the Mustang in their compound and turned Matos Morales in to authorities. The team released a statement: “We are aware that a player who was formerly in our minor league system is under investigation related to a fatal accident that occurred yesterday in Manatee County. Our organization is cooperating fully with authorities and will not have any further comment at this time. Our condolences go to the loved ones of all who were involved.”
What Happened
The crash occurred at approximately 6:28 a.m. on Monday, April 16, on southbound I-75 near State Road 64. According to FHP, Matos Morales was driving his dark-colored Ford Mustang southbound in the left lane when he entered the center lane and sideswiped a Chevy Trailblazer driven by a 63-year-old man from Palmetto. “This Mustang was weaving in and out of traffic and caused a crash that sideswiped the SUV,” said Trooper Ken Watson.
The impact sent the Trailblazer into the right lane and into the path of a semi-tractor-trailer driven by Stavan Albert Facey, 34, of New Smyrna Beach. The tractor-trailer was redirected across all southbound lanes, overturned onto its right side, and came to rest partially in the grass median spanning all three southbound lanes. Facey was pronounced dead at the scene. The Trailblazer driver sustained minor injuries.
Matos Morales briefly stopped after the crash before fleeing southbound on I-75. “The cause of this crash was the dark-colored Mustang who was weaving in and out of traffic. He stopped for a moment and then immediately fled the scene in a southern direction,” Watson said.
The Victim
Stavan Albert Facey was a hard worker and father of four children, according to his family. All southbound lanes of I-75 reopened around 12:30 p.m. Monday after a six-hour closure.
Watson said the crash was entirely preventable. “We want to reiterate the importance of leaving early, driving safely and not abruptly changing lanes,” he said.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Video
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