SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – A minor-league baseball player in the Baltimore Orioles’ organization involved in a fatal watercraft crash in June 2025 faces charges, law enforcement officials said Thursday.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told ABC7 it filed charges in February with the state attorney’s office against Jesus Palacious, 21, of Venezuela.
On June 15, 2025, two personal watercraft carrying two people each collided head-on on Lido Key. All four occupants were ejected into the water and assisted to shore by good Samaritans.
Two of the riders, minor-leaguers Palacios and Miguel Rodriguez, 19, suffered minor injuries.
Another player, 19-year-old infielder Luis Guevara Aponte, suffered internal and brain trauma, police said. He later died.
The fourth rider, 20-year-old Keiver Jose Guillen Reatiga of Bradenton, suffered facial fractures and lung damage, police said. His relationship to the players was not disclosed.
The FWC has files charges of violating a navigation rule resulting in an accident with injuries against Palacious, a spokesman for the FWC said.
Rodriguez has not been charged.
However, Salvador Manalili, 44, of Sarasota, who rented the watercraft to the players, has been charged with multiple livery violations, including operating a livery without a valid livery permit.
Previous coverage:
Sarasota County may consider restrictions on boating near South Lido Beach
Details of Lido watercraft crash emerge; three Orioles minor-leaguers involved
Orioles minor-leaguer dies after watercraft collision off Lido Key
Initial investigation
On June 15, 2025, FWC officers and the Sarasota Police Department responded to a vessel collision off Lido Key.
Officers arrived to a chaotic scene as bystanders yelled for assistance. They found two injured males — Guevara and Reatiga — on the beach and began assisting in first aid. Bystanders told police the watercraft involved had been ridden away.
As the injured victims were taken to ambulances, Palacios and Rodriguez were spotted riding the watercraft near the 10th Street boat ramp and were detained.
“Initially, they acted like they were unaware of the crash, and advised that they would provide their identification,” one officer’s report said. “Shortly after making this request, one of the subjects that came in on the jet skis made a statement to the effect of ‘it was me,’”
“Assuming that this rider was admitting to hit-and-run, I read him his Miranda Rights prior to questioning.” The narrative describing statements by the subject after he was read his rights were redacted.
Police say Rodriguez and Palacios told them they had rented the jet skis from a local individual. Reatiga and Guevara were riding one of the watercraft, while they were riding the second one.
Rodriguez and Palacios were riding toward Reatiga and Guevara when they hit a wave which caused their watercraft to launch into the air.
With control completely lost, Rodriguez and Palacios bailed off the watercraft. While it was in the air, it struck Reatiga and Guevara, causing them to fall into the water.
While all four individuals were in the water, a nearby boat came to provide aid and get them out of the water to bring them all to shore, the report noted.
The report concludes by saying Palacios and Rodriguez were detained until officers from the FWC took over the investigation.
The Orioles confirmed to ABC7 Thursday that both Rodriguez and Palacios were still in their organization, “but otherwise we respectfully decline to comment,” Jennifer Grondahl, senior vice president for communications, said in an email Thursday.
Palacios pitched for the Florida Complex League Orioles in 2025. he appeared in 11 games and was 2-3 with a 6.50 ERA.
Rodriguez, a catcher who had been placed on the 60-day disabled list before the crash, was reactivated by Delmarva on Nov. 6, according to MiLB.com.
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