Former Braves Minor Leaguer Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal I-75 Crash in Bradenton
A former minor league player in the Atlanta Braves organization has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a fatal crash earlier this month on Interstate 75.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. on April 20 along southbound I-75 and involved multiple vehicles, including a semi-truck that overturned.
Investigators said dash camera footage showed a Ford Mustang traveling in the left lane veering into the center lane and colliding with a Chevy Trailblazer. The impact forced the Trailblazer into the right lane, directly into the path of a semi-truck, which then overturned.
The truck driver, identified as 34-year-old Stavan Owen Facey of New Smyrna Beach, was pronounced dead at the scene. Family members said he is survived by two young children.
Authorities reported that after the collision, the Mustang briefly stopped before driving around the overturned truck and fleeing the scene along the outside shoulder.
Investigators later received a tip from a Braves executive who indicated the suspect vehicle might be located at the team’s spring training facility in Venice. The vehicle was traced to 18-year-old Jonathan Matos Morales, who had previously been part of the Braves’ minor league system.
According to an arrest affidavit, Matos Morales told troopers he felt scared and frustrated following the crash and considered calling 911, but did not. He also acknowledged being aware that a video of the incident had circulated on social media and that the crash had resulted in a death, yet he still did not contact authorities.
Matos Morales was arrested later that day and booked into the Manatee County Jail. He faces charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving a death.
Court records show that on April 27, Matos Morales entered a plea of not guilty and requested a jury trial. His arraignment is scheduled for June 5 at 9 a.m.
