Officials say alcohol was factor in Jose Fernandez crash

Investigators have determined that alcohol was likely a factor in the boating accident that killed Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez and two of his friends last month.

According to a search warrant affidavit that was obtained by the Miami Herald, Fernandez and his two friends, 27-year-old Emilio Jesus Macias and 25-year-old Eduardo Rivero, all had a strong odor of alcohol on them after divers discovered their bodies following the crash. Toxicology tests for the three men have been completed, but the results have not been made public.

In addition, officials say the driver of the boat, Fernandez’s 32-foot SeaVee “Kaught Looking,” was driving at a high rate of speed and “recklessness” that was “exacerbated by the consumption of alcohol.”

Fish and Wildlife investigators also found a receipt in one of the men’s pockets that indicated he had purchased alcoholic beverages. We learned previously that Fernandez and Rivero docked at a waterfront bar in Miami called American Social at around 12:55 a.m. on Sept. 25. It was there that they met up with Macias, who joined them on Fernandez’s boat.

As we learned from the eery text messages that Rivero sent to a friend shortly before the fatal crash (read them here), Fernandez was stressed about something before he took his boat out. He is said to have called several people — including many of his teammates — and asked them to join him because he needed to blow off some steam.