A probable cause affidavit reveals the former Atlanta Braves minor leaguer involved in a fatal Manatee County hit-and-run told investigators he was “scared and frustrated” following the crash that killed a semi-truck driver.
Jonathan Matos Morales, 18, of Cocoa, was heading to practice during the early morning hours of Monday, April 20, after spending the night at his girlfriend’s home in the Wesley Chapel area when the crash happened, according to the affidavit. The teen was running a few minutes late when traffic picked up and the cars in the left lane before him started to brake.
Matos Morales, who was driving a 2022 Ford Mustang, shifted into the center lane, pushing a Chevy Trailblazer into the path of the semi tractor-trailer which overturned onto its side. Matos Morales stopped briefly before driving away, according to video of the incident.
Florida Highway Patrol investigators later arrested Matos Morales after a call from Michael Dunn, vice president of Florida operations for the Atlanta Braves. He notified investigators that the suspect car was at the Braves’ training compound in North Port, the affidavit states.
Matos Morales is charged with vehicular homicide and leaving a crash scene involving death, according to court records. Matos Morales was released onto supervised release and according to the first appearance record, he is not permitted to drive or leave Florida. The judge also ordered that Matos Morales surrender his passport five days after his release.
Manatee County Jail records indicate that Matos Morales was released on April 21.
What happened the morning of the crash?
FHP troopers responded to the crash that happened around 6:30 a.m. on I-75 in the southbound lanes at mile marker 220 near the junction for State Road 64, according to previous reporting.
“There were several witnesses on scene, that gave sworn statements, that advised that a black Mustang was traveling on I-75 in a reckless manner,” the affidavit states. “This black Mustang cut vehicles off, tailgated other vehicles, traveled at high rates of speed, and frequently changed multiple lanes at one time.”
The Mustang was in the left lane when vehicles in front started to brake. Matos Morales shifted into the center lane and collided with the front left of a Chevy Trailblazer. The impact shifted the Trailblazer into the direct path of the semi-truck, which was redirected across the southbound lanes. The semi-truck overturned onto its right side and came to a stop partially in the grass median, blocking all three southbound lanes of traffic.
The driver of the Trailblazer was a 63-year-old Palmetto man who sustained minor injuries, while the 34-year-old semi-truck driver from New Smyrna, Florida, sustained fatal injuries.
FHP investigators received a call at approximately 7:12 p.m. from Dunn who said he was 99% sure that the suspected Mustang involved in the traffic crash was at the Atlanta Braves’ training compound at 18800 Southwest Village Parkway in North Port. When investigators arrived, they observed a dark gray 2022 Ford Mustang GT with damage to the right-side fender, door and quarter panel, according to the affidavit.
The damage was consistent with the damage sustained on the Trailblazer.
When investigators spoke with Matos Morales after reading him his Miranda rights, he told law enforcement he planned on getting a lawyer, but didn’t ask for one, the affidavit states. Matos Morales explained he had tried to get over onto another lane after the car in front of him braked. He didn’t want to hit the car in front or be hit by the car behind him, so he shifted over, the affidavit states.
“Mr. Matos Morales stated he was traumatized because he’s never seen that in his life,” the affidavit states. “Mr. Matos Morales stated after the crash he didn’t know what to do, he was just scared and frustrated.”
Matos Morales told investigators he thought about calling 911, but didn’t because he was scared of speaking with a cop. Instead, in a state of panic, he called his girlfriend. The girlfriend later called Matos Morales after practice and told him video of the accident was all over social media.
Matos Morales also received a call from his mother who informed him the semi-truck driver had died.
The affidavit notes that Matos Morales stated he didn’t consume any alcoholic beverages or illegal substances before driving, and he doesn’t have any physical disabilities or take any medications.
Gabriela Szymanowska covers the criminal justice, courts and legal system for the Herald-Tribune. Reach out with a news tip to gszymanowska@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ex-Braves minor leaguer ‘scared’ after deadly Manatee I-75 hit-and-run
Reporting by Gabriela Szymanowska, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
