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Official: Cardinals' Taveras was drunk at time of fatal car crash in Dominican Republic

Associated Press
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FILE - In this June 1, 2014, file photo, St. Louis Cardinals' Oscar Taveras grounds out during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in St. Louis. Dominican officials say Taveras was drunk at the time of his fatal car crash last month. Tessie Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office in the Dominican Republic, told The Associated Press on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, that toxicology reports showed Taveras had a blood-alcohol level five times the legal limit when he lost control of his car Oct. 26 on a highway in Puerto Plata. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2014, file handout photo, provided by the Metropolitan Transportation Agency shows the heavily damaged vehicle in which Dominican baseball player Oscar Taveras was killed along with a young woman passenger, near the city of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Dominican officials say that young St. Louis Cardinals prospect Oscar Taveras was drunk at the time of his fatal car crash. (AP Photo/Metropolitan Transportation Agency, File) (The Associated Press)

Dominican officials say St. Louis Cardinals rookie outfielder Oscar Taveras was drunk at the time of his fatal car crash last month.

Tessie Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office in the Dominican Republic, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that toxicology reports showed Taveras had a blood-alcohol level five times the legal limit when he lost control of his car Oct. 26 on a highway in Puerto Plata.

She says the 22-year-old Taveras was "legally intoxicated when he crashed."

Taveras was among the majors' top prospects. He hit .239 with three homers and 22 RBIs in 80 games this year.

Taveras' 18-year-old girlfriend was in the car and also died.