ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Former Diamondback Andy Marte killed in car accident

Jan 22, 2017, 9:11 AM | Updated: 11:20 am

Arizona Diamondbacks' Andy Marte celebrates his two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates dur...

Arizona Diamondbacks' Andy Marte celebrates his two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 31, 2014, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Former Arizona Diamondback Andy Marte was killed early Sunday in a car accident in the Dominican Republic.

According to a Dominican Republic news website, the 33-year-old Marte died while driving at a high rate of speed in his white Mercedes.

Marte was playing for his native Dominican Republic, Las Aguilas Cibanas which are currently in the Dominican League playoffs.

After making his major league debut in 2005 with the Atlanta Braves, Marte spent 2006-10 with the Cleveland Indians before signing with the Diamondbacks for the 2014 season.

In seven major league seasons, Marte had .218 batting average with 21 home runs and 99 RBIs. In his one season with the Diamondbacks, Marte hit .188 with one home run and drove in three runs while playing in just six games.

Also on Sunday, Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura was killed in a separate accident in the Dominican Republic. Ventura, 25, was killed on a highway leading to the town of Juan Adrian, about 40 miles northwest of Santo Domingo.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Andy Marte and Yordano Ventura,” players union executive Tony Clark said. “It’s never easy to lose a member of our fraternity, and there are no words to describe the feeling of losing two young men in the prime of their lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, friends, teammates and fans throughout the United States and Latin America.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report 

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