José Fernández | Fatal Alcohol- & Cocaine-Related Boat Crash

Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández died while driving a boat under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. He was 24.

How Did José Fernández Die?

José Fernández died in the early morning hours of September 25, 2016. He was driving a boat off of Miami Beach with two friends, Emilio Macias and Eduardo Rivero. 

The boating accident occurred when it crashed into a jetty at Government Cut (a shipping channel). The crash killed all three men, and the boat was found by the US Coast Guard. 

Before the accident, the men had spent two hours drinking in a Miami bar. The boat was found by the US Coast Guard.

Alcohol & Cocaine

According to an investigation conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Miami-Dade county medical examiner, Fernández had twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system. 

His blood alcohol level was 0.147, and they also found cocaine in his system. The investigation also discovered that the boat was going 65.7 miles per hour when it hit the jetty.

The ultimate cause of death for all three men was blunt trauma and drowning. Fernández and Rivero were pinned underwater by the rocks and boat. Fernández had to be identified by a tattoo on his left calf because his face experienced so much trauma.

Lawsuits & Aftermath

Because Fernández was piloting the boat, the families of Eduardo Rivero and Emilio Macias sued Fernández’s estate for $2 million each. They claimed negligence and personal injury. The lawsuit was settled on July 31, 2018 for an undisclosed amount.

After José Fernández’s death, the next Marlins’ game against the Atlanta Braves was canceled and teams around the major leagues honored him with a moment of silence. Fellow Marlin baseball player Giancarlo Stanton paid tribute to Fernández with graffiti art in Brazil.

About José Fernández

José Delfin Fernández was born on July 31, 1992, in Santa Clara, Cuba. He lived next door to his friend and future MLB shortstop Aledmys Diaz. Together, they played youth baseball. 

In 2005, José Fernández’s father defected from Cuba and settled in Tampa, Florida. José tried to defect to the United States three times but was unsuccessful and sent to prison. 

His fourth attempt in 2007 was successful. At the age of 15, he was able to make it to Mexico and then moved to Tampa, Florida in 2008.

At Tampa’s Alonso High School, Fernández was part of two state championships. He was set to go to the University of South Florida, but in June 2011, he was a first-round pick for the Miami Marlins. Less than two years later, he started in the MLB at only 19 years old.

MLB Career

The Cuban’s first major league baseball game was against the New York Mets at Citi Field, and he showed off his skills with eight strikeouts. In 2013, he was selected for the All-Star Game where he pitched a perfect 6th inning.

Fernández also won the National League Rookie of the Year Award and came in third place for the Cy Young Award.

History Of Substance Abuse & Addiction Treatment

It’s unclear whether the day of Fernández’s death was the one and only time he abused drugs and alcohol or if he had an issue with addiction prior to the accident.

It’s also unknown whether Fernández sought out or received any form of addiction treatment before he died. 

Recovery Is Possible

If you or a loved one live with alcohol or cocaine addiction, you don’t have to do it alone. Recovery is possible with addiction treatment services in a professional inpatient and outpatient setting, followed by ongoing aftercare support.

To learn about our addiction treatment options, please contact us today.