Bar: Marlins’ Fernandez was there before boat accident

Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was a patron at a Miami River bar and restaurant the same night he and two friends were killed in a boat crash, a spokeswoman for the establishment confirmed Tuesday.

American Social Bar & Kitchen spokeswoman Dana Rhoden said in an email that Fernandez was there before the accident.

The statement did not say whether Fernandez had been drinking or what time he left.

The bar is along the Miami River in the city’s downtown section and allows boats to dock alongside.

Fernandez, 24, died when the boat he owned slammed at high speed into a rock jetty early Sunday just off South Beach, investigators say. Emilio Jesus Macias, 27, and 25-yearold Eduardo Rivero also died.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating.