*This content was translated by AI.
O'Neill Cruz (28), the "star hitter" and "key outfielder" for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States, is at the center of a shocking investigative report alleging that he used private brokers to buy off victims' families with money during a horrific drunk driving accident in the past that resulted in three deaths.
On the 13th (Korean time), U.S. media outlet TMZ, citing another investigative reporting specialist outlet ProPublica, revealed the full details of O'Neill Cruz's fatal traffic accident that occurred in the Dominican Republic in 2020. At the time, the SUV Cruz was driving rear-ended a motorcycle carrying three people, resulting in a tragedy where all three occupants of the motorcycle died.
According to data released by local judicial authorities after the accident, Cruz had consumed alcohol immediately before driving. The Prosecution Service also strongly requested the court to impose "pre-trial detention" on Cruz, indicating that they were treating the severity of the matter seriously.
However, this serious loss-of-life incident was quickly hushed up through a massive illicit financial transaction. A so-called "local broker," who lends money to promising players by using future contract payment shares as collateral, became deeply involved in the case.
Taking advantage of the fact that under the Dominican Republic's legal system, the victims' families' desire for punishment has a significant impact on whether criminal charges are maintained, KARA provided the families with a total settlement amount of $66,000 (approximately 90 million won) to facilitate the hush-up. Once the families submitted documents requesting non-prosecution and withdrawal of lawsuits to the court, the Prosecution Service completely lost its momentum to prosecute, and ultimately, the case was abruptly dismissed by the court. This is interpreted as an exploitation of vulnerabilities in the Dominican Republic's judicial system.
In this regard, Cruz's lawyer told ProPublica, "It was a profound tragedy for everyone involved, especially the victims' families," while also explaining that "the court made its dismissal decision based on the investigation results, and this constitutes a legally binding and proper conclusion." The home team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, also stated their basic position: "This is an issue that has already been resolved based on information available at the time and the results of legal procedures."
Cruz, who received no significant suspension or disciplinary action at the time of the accident, has settled into the MLB stage and is performing reasonably well this season with a batting average of .273 (90 hits in 330 at-bats), 18 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases, leading his team in stolen bases.
However, with the revelation that he colluded with local brokers to cover up a drunk driving tragedy that took three lives with money, strong public criticism is rising among fans calling for a full-scale re-investigation and disciplinary action by MLB headquarters.
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*This content was translated by AI.
