Originally published October 1, 2008 at 4:10 PM | Page modified October 1, 2008 at 4:10 PM

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DR police seek Mets pitcher after fatal crash

New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos was driving an SUV when it slammed into two women who later died of their injuries, police said.

By DIONISIO SOLDEVILA

Associated Press Writer

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic —

New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos was driving an SUV when it slammed into two women who later died of their injuries, police said.

Local police still were searching for Burgos on Wednesday.

Police Col. Eulogio Taveras said Josefina Minaya Martinez, 38, and Angely Fana, 29, were struck Tuesday evening by a new Hummer registered to the 24-year-old reliever in his Caribbean homeland. The women died at a hospital in Nagua, a town 112 miles north of the capital, Santo Domingo.

"The investigation indicates that Burgos was the driver of the (vehicle) that hit the women," Taveras said in a statement, adding several witnesses identified Burgos as the driver.

Although a relative of the right-hander, Edwin Silvestre Sanchez, told police investigators he was the driver at fault, Taveras indicated Sanchez likely will be considered an accomplice.

"We are extremely disturbed by the reports regarding the player's potential involvement in the hit-and-run accident that unfortunately killed two women in the Dominican Republic," the Mets said in a statement. "We take this matter very seriously and have begun an internal investigation to ascertain the facts. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of the victims."

The crash is the latest trouble for Burgos, who spent the entire season on the disabled list while recovering from elbow ligament replacement surgery.

He was arrested last month in New York on assault and harassment charges after being accused of throwing his girlfriend to the ground. Police said the injured girlfriend was treated at a hospital and released.

Prosecutors said Burgos appeared in court on those charges but did not enter a plea. He's due in U.S. court again Oct. 23. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted of the more serious misdemeanor assault charge.

Burgos hasn't pitched in the major leagues since last year. He appeared in the minors in August while on a rehabilitation assignment.

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