UPDATED at 4 p.m. with Matos’ bond set, GoFundMe account for sufferer.
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – The 18-year-old accused of inflicting a fatal hit-and-run crash Monday on I-75 is listed as a minor-league baseball participant in the Atlanta Braves group, the Florida Highway Patrol has confirmed.
Jonathan Matos-Morales is being held in the Manatee County Jail after being arrested late Monday for vehicular murder and leaving the scene of a crash involving loss of life, jail information present.
In his first look in court docket Tuesday, Matos was granted $100,000 bond on every cost.
Troopers say Matos, driving a black Ford Mustang, was heading south in the left lane of I-75 at about 6:30 a.m. when it collided with an SUV in the middle lane.
Previous protection: Troopers find Mustang, driver believed to be involved in fatal hit-and-run
The influence compelled the SUV into the suitable lane and into the facet of a semi-trailer.
The semi swerved and overturned onto its proper facet and got here to remaining relaxation on its facet and high, partially in the grass median and throughout all three southbound lanes of the freeway.
Troopers say Morales stopped momentarily after the collisions, then fled the scene southbound, troopers stated.
FHP spokesman Senior Trooper Kenn Watson informed ABC7 the Braves’ group contacted the Highway Patrol Monday. The black Ford Mustang, with harm to its passenger facet, was discovered at Cool Today Park in North Port, the crew’s spring coaching dwelling, Watson stated.
While Matos is at present listed on the energetic roster of the Braves’ minor league crew in the Florida Complex League, the Braves referred to Matos in a press release as a former participant.
“We are aware that a player who was formerly in our minor league system is under investigation related to a fatal accident that occurred yesterday in Manatee County,” the Braves’ assertion to ABC7 stated.
“Our organization is cooperating fully with authorities and will not have any further comment at this time. Our condolences go to the loved ones of all who were involved.”
The Highway Patrol launched a dashcam video from a witness that reveals the Mustang altering lanes a number of occasions earlier than hitting the SUV.
The semi driver, Owen Facey, 34, from New Smyrna, was killed. The driver of the SUV, a 63-year-old man from Palmetto, sustained minor accidents, the FHP stated.
A GoFundMe has been established for Facey’s household.
According to the official web site of Minor League Baseball, the Braves signed Matos, a catching prospect, to a minor-league contract on July 23, 2025.
He was assigned to the FCL Braves the following day and activated on Aug. 4, 2025.
In November, he was assigned to Cangrejeros de Santurce, an expert crew in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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