Colome expected this week

© St. Petersburg Times
published February 11, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG -- Devil Rays pitcher Jesus Colome is expected in St. Petersburg this week after being cleared of blame for a Thursday car accident in the Dominican Republic that killed three women.

"Today everything was concluded and (the other driver) was to blame," Juan Dolio police Sgt. Major Fernando Contreras told the St. Petersburg Times on Monday. "She was driving incorrectly."

Colome, 25, was driving a sports utility vehicle when it collided with another car on a highway just outside San Pedro de Macoris. The three women in the other car were killed; Colome and two passengers sustained what were described as minor injuries.

Contreras said Colome's only legal issue stems from not having a Dominican Republic driver's license, an offense for which he likely will be fined. "It's a little bit of a problem," Contreras said.

Colome said he planned to be in St. Petersburg by Wednesday. "The police say I have no problem and I am free to go," he said from his Dominican home.

Rays officials anticipate a similar timeline based on what they heard from Colome's agent, Rob Plummer. "We've been in communication and we expect him here before the (Friday) start of spring training," assistant GM Scott Proefrock said.