Jose Fernandez was piloting boat in deadly BUI crash

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FILE – In this Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, file photo, Miami Marlins’ Jose Fernandez pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, in Miami. The Marlins announced Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, that ace right-hander Fernandez has died. The U.S. Coast Guard says Fernandez was one of three people killed in a boat crash off Miami Beach early Sunday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

MIAMI (CBSMiami) Miami Marlins pitching ace Jose Fernandez was behind the wheel of his boat when it crashed last year into a jetty off Miami Beach, killing him and his two passengers.

That was the finding of Florida Wildlife and Conservation Commission investigators who issued their final report on the crash Thursday morning.

They determined the 32-foot SeaVee center console boat was traveling at more than 65 mph when it slammed into the jetty while Fernandez was trying to enter the Government Cut Canal.

On impact, Fernandez and his two passengers, 27-year-old Jesus Macias and 25-year-old Eduardo Rivero, were thrown from the boat.

Before the crash, the trio had spent an hour and forty-five minutes at American Social in Brickell. They left around 2:42 a.m. and hit the jetty just after 3 a.m. Before leaving, Fernandez reportedly purchased two bottles of Don Julio tequila and three alcoholic beverages.

At the time of the crash, all three men had been drinking but only Fernandez was over the legal limit. He and Rivero also had cocaine in their system, according to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office report.

The probable seating location on the boat before crash based on physical evidence.( Source: CBS Miami via FWC)

Fernandez’s body was found under the boat, pinned between it and boulder. The report said his face had sustained severe trauma so investigators used tattoos on his body and his MLB identification card to confirm his identity.

Rivero’s body was found underwater on the north side of the jetty, partially pinned under a boulder.

Macias was located near the bow, submerged in a tidal pool adjacent to the jetty.

The families of Macias and Rivero have filed personal injury and negligence lawsuits in their deaths.

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