Details of crash that killed Orioles minor leaguer are absolutely heartbreaking

Nov 7, 2023; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias speaks to the media during the MLB General Manager's Meetings at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Nov 7, 2023; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias speaks to the media during the MLB General Manager's Meetings at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Tragedy struck the Baltimore Orioles organization last week when prospect Luis Guevara was killed in a crash in the waters off of South Lido Beach in Florida. The event sent shock waves as the crash involved multiple Orioles minor leaguers, but we are only just now beginning to understand what happened on that night.

According to reporting and the eyewitness accounts we have so far, Guevara was riding a jet ski with a friend while Orioles minor leaguers Jesus Palacios and Miguel Rodriguez were riding on another. Both vehicles were seen zooming around each other and other boats on the water in what some described as in a reckless fashion.

The details of the crash itself that ended up claiming Guevara's life are a true punch in the gut.

Orioles prospect Luis Guevara killed after being struck by jet ski driven by fellow minor leaguers

According to the reports from the Baltimore Banner and others, the jet ski that was being ridden by Guevara stalled at some point on the water. It was getting late in the evening and starting to get dark and the other jet ski was still zooming around. There are conflicting details of what happened next but either the operational jet ski either did not see the stalled one or, according to Palacios and Rodriguez, their jet ski ramped off a wave towards the stalled jet ski and they had no control over it and bailed.

What happened next is clear. The jet ski collided with the stalled one along with both of it's riders. Guevara suffers severe injuries to his head and upper body and later succumbed to those injuries at the hospital. The other rider of Guevara's craft was hospitalized with severe injuries as well. As of this point, that is the best public information we have available.

It is important to note that there are conflicting details and authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash itself, so hopefully they are able to unearth exactly what happened. We are thinking of Guevara's friends and family as well as the entire Orioles organization right now. One can only imagine what they are going through right now.

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