Payments and Legal Withdrawals Preceded Dismissal of Oneil Cruz Crash Case, ProPublica Reports
Families of three people killed in a 2020 Dominican Republic crash reportedly received about US$66,000 as legal claims against the baseball player were withdrawn.
Payments totalling about US$66,000 to the families of three people killed in a 2020 crash preceded the dismissal of the case against Pittsburgh Pirates player Oneil Cruz, according to an investigation by ProPublica.
The crash occurred on 21 September 2020 in the Dominican Republic, when Cruz’s Jeep struck a motorcycle carrying Yohan Saba Mercado, Deby Beato Charles and Daniela Perez Garcia. ProPublica reports that businessman Santo Caraballo helped arrange payments alongside documents withdrawing criminal and civil claims against Cruz.
Court filings stated that the families withdrew their claims without financial consideration. Separate settlement documents recorded payments, while relatives gave differing accounts of how some of the money was distributed. ProPublica said its reporting was based on interviews with more than 30 people, court records, bank receipts and voice notes.
The case was dismissed in August 2021 after prosecutors submitted limited evidence, including death certificates and a police report. Prosecutors had initially alleged that Cruz had consumed alcohol, but he was not charged with driving while intoxicated. The available account does not establish key crash details, including speed, possible recklessness, forensic findings or the victims’ alcohol levels.
Cruz’s lawyer said the dismissal was lawful and based on the court’s findings. Caraballo did not respond to ProPublica’s requests for comment. Cruz later reached the major leagues and became a regular Pirates player.
