UPDATED at 4 p.m. with Matos’ bond set, GoFundMe account for victim.
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – The 18-year-old accused of causing a fatal hit-and-run crash Monday on I-75 is listed as a minor-league baseball player in the Atlanta Braves organization, the Florida Highway Patrol has confirmed.
Jonathan Matos-Morales is being held in the Manatee County Jail after being arrested late Monday for vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving death, jail records show.
In his first appearance in court Tuesday, Matos was granted $100,000 bond on each charge.
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 center lane.
Previous coverage: Troopers find Mustang, driver believed to be involved in fatal hit-and-run
The impact forced the SUV into the right lane and into the side of a semi-trailer.
The semi swerved and overturned onto its right side and came to final rest on its side and top, partially in the grass median and across all three southbound lanes of the highway.
Troopers say Morales stopped momentarily after the collisions, then fled the scene southbound, troopers said.
FHP spokesman Senior Trooper Kenn Watson told ABC7 the Braves’ organization contacted the Highway Patrol Monday. The black Ford Mustang, with damage to its passenger side, was found at Cool Today Park in North Port, the team’s spring training home, Watson said.
While Matos is currently listed on the active roster of the Braves’ minor league team in the Florida Complex League, the Braves referred to Matos in a statement as a former player.
“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’ statement to ABC7 said.
“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 released a dashcam video from a witness that shows the Mustang changing lanes several times before 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 injuries, the FHP said.
A GoFundMe has been established for Facey’s family.
According to the official website 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 next day and activated on Aug. 4, 2025.
In November, he was assigned to Cangrejeros de Santurce, a professional team in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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