Ex-MLB Star Dies on the Way to the Hospital – What Happened #2

The ex-MLB pitcher was among the dozens killed when a popular nightclub’s roof collapsed during a packed concert in the Dominican Republic. Read on for more heartbreaking details.

Former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel died on the way to the hospital after being rescued from the rubble of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The collapse occurred early morning on April 8, 2025.

General Méndez confirmed to Noticias SIN that Octavio had been pulled out alive but did not survive the journey to the hospital. He was one of more than 90 people who lost their lives in the incident, according to the Dominican National Police.

Authorities reported that the number of confirmed fatalities had reached at least 98 by Wednesday, April 9, 2025. In addition to the fatalities, approximately 160 people sustained injuries.

Among the deceased were Tony Blanco, another former major league player, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Monte Cristi. Nelsy was the sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz.

The tragic event took place around 1 a.m. during a live concert, which had drawn a large crowd, including athletes, politicians, and other public figures. The venue, Jet Set nightclub, is a well-known establishment in the Dominican capital.

Officials have not yet determined the cause of the collapse. The investigation into the structural failure is ongoing.

Tributes began pouring in across the country following confirmation of Octavio’s passing. Dominican politician Kelvin Cruz shared a profoundly heartwarming post on Instagram.

He wrote, “We deeply regret the passing of former Major Leagues and Immortal of Dominican Sport, Octavio Dotel. His legacy on and off the field leaves an indelible mark on national baseball history. May his soul rest in peace and may his family and loved ones find strength.”

Octavio’s wife, Massiel Javier De Dotel, announced funeral arrangements through her own Instagram post. She shared that posthumous honors would be held at Jardín Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 9, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., continuing the next day from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

A Christian burial would follow at Jardín Memorial Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on April 10. The message, addressed to the educational community, friends, family, and faith members, was signed, “The Dotel Javier Family.”

According to Lanacion, Massiel had been present at the accident site, anxiously awaiting news of her husband’s rescue in the hours following the incident.

Octavio Dotel was born on November 25, 1973, in Santo Domingo. He played as a professional relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, batting and throwing right-handed.

Over his MLB career, Dotel achieved 109 saves, a 3.78 ERA, 1,143 strikeouts, and a 1.24 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched). He played for multiple teams over the years and earned recognition as a dependable figure on the mound.

In 2024, he was inducted into the Dominican Hall of Fame. His wife celebrated the achievement in a heartfelt Instagram tribute.

In her message, Massiel praised not only his athletic accomplishments but also his character and role within their family.

She wrote that seeing him honored was “a dream come true” and reflected on the many sacrifices he made during his career — including time spent away from home and personal challenges — to reach his goals.

Massiel added that Octavio had always carried the country’s name “with such pride” and described him as someone who possessed a unique blend of humility and strength.

Her message was filled with personal words of admiration, “You’re my life partner, the man who inspires me every day, and the wonderful father to our children. This achievement is just one more example of the great human being you are.”

Massiel concluded the post with, “I love you with all my heart, and today I celebrate with you, excited for everything you’ve accomplished and filled with love for the man you’ve always been.”

The loss of Octavio, Tony, and Nelsy has left a deep impact on communities across the country. Baseball remains a source of national pride in the Dominican Republic, and Octavio’s death has resonated not only with fans of the sport but also with those who admired his contributions off the field.

Their deaths occurred as part of a larger tragedy that unfolded early Tuesday morning, when a roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo claimed dozens of lives.

At the time, at least 27 people were confirmed dead and over 150 were reported injured. The tragic incident unfolded during a live concert by merengue singer Rubby Pérez.

The venue was filled with hundreds of attendees when part of the ceiling gave way, trapping dozens beneath the rubble in what has become one of the worst nightclub disasters in the country’s history.

The roof gave way around 12:44 a.m. during the event, triggering panic as a large section fell on the crowd. The venue, known for its Monday night dance music concerts, was filled with guests enjoying the live show when disaster struck.

Emergency officials confirmed that more than 150 individuals have been injured, and many others remain missing as the search for survivors continues.

While the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation, Rubby and at least 121 other concertgoers were treated at area hospitals. The singer, known for hits like “Buscando Tus Besos,” was found in the rubble.

He was reportedly singing when rescuers located him, indicating he was conscious and able to respond despite injuries. His daughter, Zulinka Pérez, survived the collapse and described her harrowing escape.

She revealed that her husband, who performs as one of her father’s backup singers, shielded her with his body and urged her to leave so their child wouldn’t be orphaned. He suffered a broken leg in the process.

“My husband, who is another backup singer, threw himself on top of me, and told me: Mami, get out, so that the child is not left alone if this completely falls down, and I got out as I could, but Daddy is still there,” she said.

Enrique Paulino, Rubby’s manager, recounted the terrifying moments after the roof gave way. Wearing a blood-stained shirt, Enrique told reporters the concert started shortly before midnight and the collapse happened almost an hour later. The group’s saxophonist was among those killed.

“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” he said, while also explaining that he initially believed the vibrations were caused by an earthquake.

According to the latest updates, Rubby Pérez, 69, succumbed to his injuries and did not survive the tragedy. His manager, Enrique, confirmed the news to People.

First responders are working continuously to locate and assist anyone who may still be trapped under the debris. Authorities deployed around 400 search and rescue workers to comb through the disaster.

Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Emergency Operations Centre (COE), revealed that more than 100 ambulance trips had been made to hospitals across Santo Domingo.

Some of these trips carried multiple patients at once due to the overwhelming number of injuries. Juan expressed cautious optimism that more survivors could still be found. Just weeks ago, a soccer star died while trying to save people during a nightclub fire.

Meanwhile, the Jet Set Club issued a public statement describing the event as a tragedy that has deeply affected not just the venue but all Dominicans.

“The loss of human lives leaves us in a state of profound pain and dismay,” they wrote, adding that they are cooperating fully with local authorities and have appointed María Elena Núñez as their official spokesperson during the crisis.

“We share their pain as if it were our own, because we too are in mourning,” the club continued in its message of condolences and solidarity. Officials urge the public to avoid the area as recovery efforts continue and families await updates about their missing loved ones.

This tragedy underscores the other catastrophes that have been happening all around the world. As reported previously, a tragic plane crash occurred in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on Saturday, March 29, when a turboprop aircraft struck a home, leaving no survivors.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the plane as a SOCATA TBM-700. It went down around 12:20 p.m. local time, just six minutes before its scheduled arrival at Anoka County-Blaine Airport.

The plane had departed from Des Moines International Airport in Iowa earlier that morning, with flight data showing it took off at 11:12 a.m. local time. The aircraft was expected to land between 12:11 p.m. and 12:28 p.m. but was instead recorded crashing at around 12:20 p.m.

The plane, registered to DGW Enterprises LLC, was traveling at an altitude of 28,000 feet and filed a speed of 329 mph during its journey. Its route followed the ROGAN LAL AMORY Q110 JOKKY flight path.

The plane was nearing its destination when it went down in a residential neighborhood, igniting a fire that engulfed a home. Brooklyn Park spokeswoman Risikat Adesaogun confirmed that no one aboard survived, though the exact number of passengers remains unknown.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the tragedy on X, stating, “My team is in touch with local officials on the scene in Brooklyn Park, and we are monitoring the situation closely.”

The crash will be investigated by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB will take the lead in the investigation and release updates as new information emerges.

The residents of the Brooklyn Park home struck by the plane miraculously escaped without injury. Kenneth Tobacman, the homeowner, recounted the terrifying moments after the crash.

“We got out alive,” Tobacman said, though the family’s cat was lost in the fire. Their dog was saved. At the time of the crash, Tobacman’s wife was out walking the dog while he was alone inside, eating lunch. “There was a very loud boom. A piece of the ceiling fell through,” he said. “I had no idea what the hell was going on. The lights went out.”

Within seconds, flames spread rapidly. Grabbing his phone, Tobacman fled the house, unable to put on shoes as smoke filled the air. “By the time I got to the front door, I couldn’t see the front door,” he said.

Firefighters from Brooklyn Park, West Metro, Plymouth, Fridley, and Osseo responded and battled the flames for an hour before bringing the fire under control. Tobacman described the aftermath as devastating. The home he had lived in since 2009 was destroyed. “There’s nothing left,” he said.

He and his wife were left with only the clothes they were wearing and a dog leash. However, friends, family, and the Red Cross quickly stepped in to offer support.

Nearby resident Henry Tita recalled hearing the plane moments before the crash. He was outside preparing to leave for work when he noticed the sound of a plane circling overhead. Tita mentioned that the sky was too cloudy to see the plane, but the sound indicated it was alarmingly low.

Within seconds, he heard a loud noise and told his in-laws that a plane had crashed. When he rushed to the scene, the house was already engulfed in flames and thick black smoke. Tita noted that the plane was not visible amid the smoke.

He recorded a short video at the site, where he was overheard expressing sadness and calling the incident “very, very tragic.” Jesse Boyd, who lives just a few doors away, was about 10 minutes from home when he received an alert from his ADT security system.

As he returned, he passed several emergency vehicles and followed them. Boyd recalled feeling extremely worried as he approached the scene. Upon his arrival, smoke was pouring from the ruins of Tobacman’s home. A neighbor informed Boyd that the plane had struck the house directly.

On Sunday, March 9, emergency crews responded after another aircraft went down in Pennsylvania at 3:18 p.m. in the parking lot of Brethren Village, a retirement community in Manheim Township, Lancaster County. Fire Chief Scott Little, alongside several officials, provided details on the crash and the number of people affected.

“The five passengers were the only individuals to sustain injuries and were transported for medical treatment. No individuals on the ground were injured. Additionally, there were no deaths,” officials stated in a press release shared on Facebook.

Released air traffic control audio revealed that the pilot reported an open door and requested permission to land. However, communication appeared to be a struggle. The pilot said, “Lancaster Tower, I cannot hear you with the wind, so we’re going to return to 26. We’re going to downwind.”

The air traffic controller later announced that the pilot was “clear to land” on runway 26. However, shortly after, the situation took a turn for the worse. The air traffic controller was then heard urgently saying, “Pull up. Rescue 1, Lancaster Tower. The aircraft is down just behind the terminal in the parking lot tree area.”

Meanwhile, witnesses saw the aircraft struggling before it crashed. Brian Pipkin reportedly told CNN that the plane climbed before suddenly turning left and nose-diving.

He ran to the crash site and saw the cockpit engulfed in flames. The heat, he said, felt “like opening an oven set to 500 degrees when you open the door and it hits your face.”

Pipkin described the intense heat as overwhelming as he moved closer to the wreckage. “I was getting closer, praying to God that nothing would blow up,” he recalled.

Emergency crews quickly arrived, extinguished the flames, and secured the area. Authorities confirmed that while no buildings were structurally damaged, several cars were affected.

Lancaster County’s Department of Public Safety assisted at the scene as officials transitioned into the Recovery and Investigation Phase. “The crash site remains secure while federal agencies conduct their investigation,” the officials noted.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated on X that the State Police were helping local first responders at the plane crash site near Lancaster Airport. “All Commonwealth resources are available as the response continues, and more information will be provided as it becomes available,” he added.

The Lancaster plane crash is the most recent in Pennsylvania. Back in January, a similar crash occurred in Northeast Philadelphia.

A doorbell camera in the area captured the terrifying moment a medical plane crashed onto a busy street, killing seven people, including a driver. The widely shared footage shows the impact and explosion as bystanders react in shock.

Recorded on January 31, the video shows two people standing outside talking, when a loud noise suddenly grabs their attention. They turn toward the sky just as an aircraft appears, plummeting rapidly before crashing nearby. The explosion briefly flashes white across the screen, followed by a thunderous blast. The witnesses rush inside for safety.

The chilling footage sparked widespread discussion, with many describing it as surreal and deeply unsettling. “So scary. It’s like a scene out of a movie. I can’t believe this happened. Praying for everyone,” one user said.

Another shared, “I know it was a plane, but it doesn’t look like it. I’m sure it was the cloud coverage, but he way it appears out of nowhere and spikes into the ground. It seems like it’s moving way faster than a small plane can.[sic]” Another exclaimed, “Can imagine that being the scariest thing ever!!!”

Many online viewers speculated about the crash, with some believing the plane was already on fire before impact. Others noted that a witness in the footage appeared to react to an unusual sound just before the aircraft went down.

Some described the video as one of the most horrifying they had ever seen, expressing concern for traumatized residents. Another expressed sympathy for the victims, especially after learning that a child was among those on board.

Meanwhile, some questioned the aircraft’s speed and trajectory, suggesting it was moving too fast for a typical small plane.

As reported by AP, authorities confirmed that the Learjet 55 was carrying six passengers from Mexico, including a child who had spent months receiving medical treatment. The plane took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport but crashed just miles away.

The impact set off a massive fireball that damaged multiple vehicles and homes and shook the neighborhood. A person in a car was also killed, bringing the total death toll to seven.

The crash occurred just after 6 p.m. on Friday, less than three miles from the airport. Selkuc Koc, a waiter at a nearby diner, recalled hearing a loud boom and initially thinking it was a “thunderstorm.” When he looked outside, he saw thick smoke and flames rising into the air, comparing the scene to a gas station explosion.

The force of the blast was so strong that debris flew into nearby buildings. A diner customer was injured when a heavy metal object crashed through a window, adding to the chaos.

By Saturday morning, February 1, officials reported 19 injuries in addition to the fatalities. Most victims had been treated and released, but authorities warned that the casualty count could still change.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said officials were still working to identify everyone who was on the streets when the crash happened, making it hard to confirm the final number of victims.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation, collecting debris and assessing damage across the four-to-six-block crash site. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy described it as a “high-impact crash” that left the aircraft “highly fragmented.”

At the time, investigators were still searching for the cockpit voice recorder, which could provide key insights into what happened. Given the force of the impact, officials feared it may be damaged or fragmented but remained hopeful it could be recovered and analyzed.

In addition to the mother and child reported by AP, Fox News identified the remaining people on board as the pilot, copilot, physician, and paramedic, all of whom were Mexican nationals.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri before crashing shortly after takeoff. As investigators worked to determine the cause, an expert analyzed the footage and possible factors behind the accident.

“The plane was out of the crew’s control. It was not controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). May have been a mechanical malfunction of the stabilizer, elevator, trim or even a load shift rearward within the cabin,” said Retired Philadelphia pilot John Anderson.

Anderson suggested that if the aircraft carried a stretcher and it was not properly secured, it could have rolled backward, shifting the plane’s center of gravity. “This would cause the nose to raise and stall the wing. In that case, the nose will drop with the angle in the video,” he explained.

The former pilot also added, “Because it was right after takeoff and the initial climb, I would say it was likely aswing stall. There could be a number of factors that would cause a stall. Could have been a runaway trim, malfunctioning stabilizer.” At the time, authorities continued to investigate as they gathered more evidence and assessed the damage.