Red Sox prospect hurt in deadly Lehigh crash

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. A Boston Red Sox minor leaguer was critically injured Wednesday night in a fatal crash on Lee Boulevard.

One person was killed in the wreck on Lee Boulevard, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Kevin Steen, 20, the player hurt in the crash, was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital.

The crash happened shortly before midnight at the intersection of Lee Boulevard and Lee Court, the FHP said.

All lanes of Lee Boulevard heading toward Fort Myers were closed overnight due to the crash. They reopened just before 6:30 a.m.

The person who was killed in the wreck was driving a 2002 Dodge Neon eastbound on Lee Boulevard, the FHP said. The car became airborne and wound up in the westbound lanes, where it collided with a 2007 Cadillac Escalade driven by Steen.

It is unclear how the Neon became airborne. It caught fire after the collision, the FHP said.

The crash is under investigation, State troopers said.

Steen, whom MLB.com listed as the team’s No. 27 prospect at the start of the season, was in the area taking part in extended spring training because he was assigned to the short-season Class A Lowell Spinners, who don’t begin play until June, the Red Sox said.

The right-handed pitcher taken in the ninth round of the 2014 draft compiled a 5.91 ERA last season for Lowell.

The Red Sox organization released this statement:

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire Red Sox organization are with minor league player Kevin Steen, who sustained serious injuries in a car accident in Florida last night. The club will update his condition at the appropriate time.”

This clip from YouTube user Jon Tarr shows Steen pitching Saturday in extended spring training: