A 2017 investigation found Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was piloting a boat traveling 65.7 mph when it struck a Miami Beach jetty on Sept. 25, 2016, killing him and two others; toxicology showed a blood-alcohol level of .147 and cocaine in his system.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s final report said Fernandez operated while impaired, at high speed in darkness near known navigation hazards, and violated boating laws including boating-under-the-influence manslaughter, vessel homicide and reckless or careless vessel operation. The families of Rivero and Macias sued Fernandez’s estate for $2 million each, alleging negligence and personal injury; the lawsuit settled on undisclosed terms in July 2018.
The Marlins canceled their game scheduled for the day of the crash and returned the next day with all players wearing No. 16. In the first at-bat, Dee Strange-Gordon paid tribute by briefly batting right-handed, then switching to his usual left side and hitting a leadoff home run. Miami won 7–3.
