Texas Rangers first base prospect Ronald Guzman was not injured in a fatal car accident that killed the driver of the other vehicle in his native Dominican Republic.
Gerry Fraley of The Dallas Morning News notes Guzman was driving his sport utility vehicle when he crashed into a motorcycle, killing Eleazar Garcia.
Police are expected to announce Wednesday whether Guzman will be charged in connection with Garcia’s death, and additional information on the accident will likely be made available when a decision is made.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told Fraley that Guzman did not suffer injuries in the crash. It is unknown at this time whether authorities suspect alcohol is involved.
The accident marks the second dangerous crash in a month involving major league prospects in the Dominican Republic.
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend were killed in an accident on Oct. 26 when their car veered off the road and hit a tree.
As noted by Fraley, Taveras’ and Guzman’s accidents happened within 60 miles of one another.
Taveras’ death highlighted ongoing safety concerns with roadways in the Dominican Republic. The Economist pointed to a 2013 World Health Organization report that said the Dominican Republic had one of the world’s most dangerous road systems. /cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70618156/usa_today_15931493.0.jpg?w=678&ssl=1)
“It’s always on our minds,” Daniels told Fraley of the dangerous Dominican roads. “This is a real issue.”
Guzman, 20, hit .218/.283/.330 with six home runs and 63 RBI last season playing for the Single-A Hickory Crawdads.
He was considered the Rangers’ 10th-best prospect coming into the 2014 season by Baseball America.
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