St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras pours a beer on himself as he celebrates a NLDS win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in this file photo at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on October 7, 2014. UPI/FILE/Bill Greenblatt
Cardinals rookie outfielder Oscar Taveras had a blood-alcohol content of 0.287 percent, more than five times the legal limit in the Dominican Republic when he killed himself and his 18-year old girlfriend, when he wrecked his sports car on October 26th, according to Tessie Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the Dominican attorney general’s office.
According to official reports, Taveras hit a tree after he was driving too fast along a narrow highway during a rainstorm when he lost control of his 2014 Chevy Camaro. The 22 year old Taveras and his girlfriend died at the scene.
In the United States, Taveras’ BAC would have been more than 3.5 times the legal limit. The U.S. legal limit is .08%. The Dominican legal limit is lower at .05%
“We have seen media reports regarding Oscar Taveras that have come out this afternoon, but have yet to receive official notification from the Dominican,” Cardinals General John Mozeliak said in a statement released by the team. “Until we have the opportunity to review the official report, we cannot confirm details. While we are still working to obtain the facts, it won’t change the fact that this is a terrible tragedy. We have an obligation to use this as an opportunity to educate our players that they must take responsibility for themselves both on and off the field.”
This is the second Cardinals player since 2007 to die in a drunk driving related incident. Pitcher Josh Hancock hit a parked truck on Hwy 40 near Busch Stadium. His BAC at the time of the crash was .157%.