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

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel was among the dozens killed when the roof of a popular nightclub collapsed during a packed concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of April 8, 2025, at the well-known Jet Set nightclub, a venue often frequented by celebrities, athletes, and politicians.

Dotel was pulled from the rubble alive but sadly died en route to the hospital, General Méndez confirmed to Noticias SIN. He was one of at least 98 people confirmed dead, according to the Dominican National Police. The collapse left approximately 160 others injured.

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

The venue had been hosting a live concert when the roof gave way around 1 a.m., catching the packed crowd off guard. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the collapse, and an investigation into the structural failure is ongoing.

News of Dotel’s passing sparked an outpouring of grief across the Dominican Republic. Dominican politician Kelvin Cruz shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing:

“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.”

Dotel’s wife, Massiel Javier De Dotel, was reportedly at the scene of the disaster, anxiously awaiting news of his rescue. She later announced funeral arrangements on Instagram, stating that services would be held at Jardín Memorial Funeral Home on April 9, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on April 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A Christian burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. on April 10 at Jardín Memorial Cemetery. Her message, addressed to the educational community, friends, and family, was signed “The Dotel Javier Family.”

Born on November 25, 1973, in Santo Domingo, Octavio Dotel played as a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Over his career, he recorded 109 saves, a 3.78 ERA, 1,143 strikeouts, and a 1.24 WHIP. Known for his reliability on the mound, he played for several MLB teams and left a lasting impact on the game.

In 2024, Dotel was inducted into the Dominican Hall of Fame. Massiel celebrated the honor in a moving Instagram tribute, praising both his professional accomplishments and his strength as a husband and father.

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.

Massiel expressed deep admiration in her message, writing, “You are my life partner—the man who inspires me every single day and an incredible father to our children. This accomplishment is just one more reflection of the remarkable person you are.”

She concluded with heartfelt emotion: “I love you with all my heart. Today, I celebrate you, proud of everything you’ve achieved and full of love for the man you’ve always been.”

The passing of Octavio, Tony, and Nelsy has left a profound impact on communities throughout the Dominican Republic and beyond. Baseball is a deep source of national pride, and Octavio’s loss has resonated not only with fans of the sport but with all who respected his life and legacy—on and off the field.

Their deaths were part of a larger tragedy that unfolded early Tuesday morning, when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a live concert. The disaster claimed dozens of lives and left many others injured.

At least 27 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 150 others reported injured. The venue was packed with concertgoers enjoying a live performance by merengue star Rubby Pérez when a large portion of the ceiling suddenly gave way, plunging the crowd into chaos. It is one of the deadliest nightclub disasters in the country’s history.

The collapse occurred at approximately 12:44 a.m., causing immediate panic as rubble rained down on the crowd. The Jet Set nightclub, known for its vibrant Monday night music scene, became the site of unimaginable tragedy in mere seconds.

Emergency officials have confirmed over 150 injuries and reported that many individuals remain missing as rescue efforts continue. Search and recovery teams, including more than 400 emergency responders, are working around the clock to find survivors.

While the cause of the structural failure is still under investigation, authorities revealed that Rubby Pérez and over 120 others were treated at local hospitals. The singer, recognized for hits like “Buscando Tus Besos,” was pulled from the rubble while reportedly still conscious and singing.

His daughter, Zulinka Pérez, survived the collapse and shared the terrifying moments that followed. Her husband—one of Rubby’s backup singers—shielded her with his body during the chaos.

“My husband threw himself over me and said, ‘Mami, get out, so our child won’t be left without parents.’ He broke his leg protecting me,” she recounted.

Rubby’s longtime manager, Enrique Paulino, wearing a shirt stained with blood, described the horrifying scene. He said the concert had started just before midnight, and the collapse occurred less than an hour later.

“It happened so fast,” Enrique said. “At first, I thought it was an earthquake. I managed to dive into a corner.” The group’s saxophonist was among those who died.

Tragically, Rubby Pérez, 69, later succumbed to his injuries. His death was confirmed by his manager in a statement to People.

Authorities have made over 100 ambulance trips to hospitals around Santo Domingo, often carrying multiple patients per trip due to the volume of injuries. COE director Juan Manuel Méndez said they remain hopeful that more survivors may still be found.

Just weeks ago, another tragedy struck when a soccer player lost his life trying to save others from a nightclub fire, drawing chilling parallels to this latest catastrophe.

The Jet Set Club released a public statement expressing deep sorrow:
“This loss of life leaves us heartbroken. We are cooperating fully with local authorities during this difficult time and have appointed María Elena Núñez as our spokesperson.”

They added, “We share the pain of the families—because we too are in mourning.” Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid the area as recovery operations move forward and loved ones await updates.

This disaster adds to a series of tragic events unfolding around the globe. Recently, on March 29, a plane crash in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, claimed multiple lives. The FAA identified the aircraft as a SOCATA TBM-700. It crashed into a home just six minutes before it was due to land at Anoka County-Blaine Airport. There were no survivors.

The aircraft had departed from Des Moines International Airport in Iowa earlier that morning, taking off at 11:12 a.m. local time. It was scheduled to arrive between 12:11 p.m. and 12:28 p.m., but tragically crashed around 12:20 p.m.—just minutes before its expected landing.

Registered to DGW Enterprises LLC, the plane had reached a cruising altitude of 28,000 feet and was traveling at approximately 329 mph. Flight records show it followed the ROGAN LAL AMORY Q110 JOKKY route.

As the plane approached its destination, it suddenly went down in a residential neighborhood in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The crash ignited a fire that engulfed a home on the ground. Brooklyn Park spokesperson Risikat Adesaogun confirmed that no one on board survived, though the total number of passengers remains unconfirmed.

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

The cause of the crash will be investigated by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), with the NTSB leading the inquiry. Officials are expected to release more information as the investigation progresses.

In a remarkable turn, the residents of the home that was struck managed to escape unharmed. Homeowner Kenneth Tobacman shared his account of the harrowing moments that followed 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 was preparing to leave for work when he heard the unmistakable sound of a plane circling overhead. Though the sky was thick with clouds and the aircraft was hidden from view, he sensed something was wrong—the plane sounded unusually low.

Moments later, a deafening crash shattered the quiet morning. Tita immediately told his in-laws, “A plane just went down,” and ran toward the source of the noise. When he arrived, flames had already engulfed the home, and thick black smoke poured into the air. The wreckage was completely obscured by the smoke.

Tita recorded a short video at the scene, his voice filled with emotion as he described the tragedy as “very, very tragic.”

Another nearby resident, Jesse Boyd, received an alert from his ADT security system while he was about 10 minutes from home. As he returned, he passed multiple emergency vehicles and instinctively followed them, growing increasingly anxious. When he arrived, he was met with the shocking sight of Kenneth Tobacman’s home in ruins, smoke billowing from what remained. A neighbor confirmed to Boyd that a plane had struck the house directly.

The community is still reeling from the crash, as federal investigators begin to piece together what went wrong. Meanwhile, a separate aviation incident added to the weekend’s distressing news.

On Sunday, March 9, another small aircraft crashed—this time in the parking lot of Brethren Village, a retirement community in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Emergency crews responded quickly to the 3:18 p.m. crash.

Fire Chief Scott Little and other officials confirmed that the five people on board sustained injuries and were transported for medical treatment. Remarkably, no one on the ground was harmed, and no fatalities were reported. In a press release shared on Facebook, authorities emphasized that while the crash was serious, it could have been far worse.

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.

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.