Tampa Bay Rays Prospect Involved In Fatal Car Accident

On Friday afternoon 18-year-old Rays minor-leaguer Andrew Bellatti was driving with his 16-year old girlfriend in California near his former high school just outside San Diego. Driving at a speed of 80 mph Bellatti illegally crossed over a double-yellow line into oncoming traffic and his Ford Mustang crashed into a Dodge Caravan.

Bellatti escaped the accident with some cuts and bruises on his face, but the same can not be said of the driver of the Caravan. 50-year old David Reid was killed in the accident, and his 17-year old son was seriously injured in the wreck. Bellatti's girlfriend was also hurt in the accident.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families affected by this terrible tragedy," Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said. "We will have no further comment until we are in possession of all of the facts concerning the accident."

The son of the man killed in the accident was released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon, and according to his sister he had his wrist crushed in four places, suffered a fractured skull and a broken toe. Both Bellatti and his girlfriend were released from the hospital on Saturday.

According to Bellatti's agent, Jonathan Weisz, Bellatti is "heartbroken" following his role in the wreck.

Bellatti was a 12th-round pick of the Rays in the 2009 amateur draft, and went 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in 12 games for the Rays' affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.