Colome a driver in deadly accident

Dominican police question Rays pitcher after a crash that killed three.

By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer

© St. Petersburg Times
published February 8, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG -- Devil Rays pitcher Jesus Colome was in police custody in the Dominican Republic on Friday night after being involved in a car accident that killed three women.

Colome, 25, suffered only slight injuries, said to be "minor scrapes and bruises," and hopes to report to spring training on time next week, agent Rob Plummer said.

But Colome's legal situation is not as clear.

Colome initially was said to be a passenger in the Thursday night accident on a highway just outside San Pedro de Macoris, but late Friday police said Colome was behind the wheel of a sports utility vehicle that collided with the car carrying the three women.

"At this moment, he's considered to be the driver," Juan Dolio Police Sgt. Miguel Rodriguez told the Times.

Colome was in police custody at a hospital, where he was being kept for observation, and had been questioned but not charged, Rodriguez said.

Major League Baseball officials in the Dominican Republic were exploring the situation and told team officials that if Colome was not at fault, he probably could get the matter resolved in time to report to spring training.

Plummer, in a statement released by the team, said Colome "hopes to join the Devil Rays when (spring training) camp opens next week."

But Colome was quoted in an Associated Press report from the Dominican as saying, "This could affect my career because I don't know whether I feel okay to play this season."

The Rays weren't sure exactly what to think.

"We're monitoring the situation and waiting to get more information," Rays assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said.

Colome's injuries, according to doctors at the Macoris Specialized Medical Center, were from the force of his seat belt and scratches on his leg.

"(Plummer) didn't give me any indication he would not be able to participate due to any injuries," Proefrock said.

The others in Colome's car, 20-year-old Helpis Sederino and 27-year-old Carlos Parades, had minor injuries. Police initially detained Parades because they thought he was the driver, then released him.

Details of the accident are unclear. Colome told the AP the women's vehicle crossed into the opposing lane while trying to turn. Altagracia Ortega, 54, and her daughter, Alexandra Donator, 23, were killed instantly; Erminia Ovalle, 20, died Friday morning after being hospitalized with head injuries.

"We understand it was an accident, but our lawyers are taking care of it," Ortega's brother, Diojenes, told the AP.

Even before the accident, Colome's role with the team was uncertain.

A highly rated prospect when the Rays acquired him from Oakland in July 2000, he struggled much of last season, going 2-7 with an 8.27 ERA in 32 games, and was twice sent to the minors. His ERA was the highest of all relievers who pitched at least 40 innings, and his seven losses were second most among AL relievers.

Colome was scheduled to fly to Tampa on Sunday but told the AP he plans to stay in the Dominican Republic for a few days to help his friend and the victims' families.

"Jesus' thoughts are with the families of the victims and not on baseball right now," Plummer said.

In other team news:

-- Outfielder Jason Conti and pitchers Jason Standridge, Brian Stokes, Doug Waechter and Victor Zambrano agreed to terms on one-year contracts.

-- Coaches Tom Foley and Billy Hatcher will host a clinic at the Belmont Heights Little League in Tampa this morning. From 2-3:30 p.m., Lance Carter, Nick Bierbrodt, Toby Hall, Aubrey Huff and Carl Crawford are scheduled to sign free autographs at the team store at WestShore Plaza in Tampa.

-- Ex-Ray Steve Cox, who was sold to the Yokohama Bay Stars, injured his right knee during spring training workouts in Japan and could be out for two months.

Around the majors

McGWIRE STAYING HOME: Former home run king Mark McGwire rejected the Cardinals' offer to be an instructor at spring training. Hitting instructor Walt Hriniak accepted manager Tony La Russa's offer to make an early appearance at the team's Jupiter training facility.

SELIG PLEADS WITH SCHOTT: Commissioner Bud Selig is urging Marge Schott to drop her lawsuit seeking better seats in Cincinnati's new ballpark, but the former Reds controlling owner has no plans to drop her case, her lawyer, Mark Wasserman, said.

MILLAR TALKS: Kevin Millar and the Chunichi Dragons appeared to make progress in talks he hopes will lead the team to release him from a deal to play in Japan so he can sign with Boston, where he would be a first baseman.

GREGG CASE: The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals turned down a bid by former umpire Eric Gregg to revive a lawsuit against baseball that claimed he was fired because of a disability. Gregg battled a weight problem throughout his 23 years as an NL umpire.

ASTROS: Right-handed reliever Anthony Telford agreed to a minor-league contract.

MARINERS: Dave Henderson, a former outfielder and a Seattle announcer, has been charged with drunken driving. Henderson was pulled over early Tuesday in Snohomish, Wash.

MARLINS: Right-hander Vladimir Nunez became the second player to go to salary arbitration this year, asking a three-man panel for a raise from $360,000 to $1.75-million. The team countered at $1.4-million. A decision is expected this weekend.

METS: Left-hander Al Leiter said he implored right-hander David Cone to attempt a comeback with New York when they spoke at John Franco's charity bowling tournament last week. "If the guy has anything left and is even remotely close to the pitcher he was before, you take a chance on him," Leiter said. "What's the downside for the Mets?"

YANKEES: Second baseman Alfonso Soriano is receiving treatment for shoulder tightness, but he expects to be ready for the start of spring training.

-- Information from Times staff writer David Adams, Times wires, other news organizations and the Kyodo News Service was used in this report.