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MIAMI (AP) — The Latest on Marlins-Fernandez Killed (all times local):
5:45 p.m.
Hundreds of fans are streaming into a Miami-area church for a public viewing of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, who was killed in a weekend boat crash along with two friends.
St. Brendan's Catholic Church opened its doors for the viewing at 5 p.m. Wednesday. People could be seen lined up for blocks and many said they felt compelled to come because of Fernandez's popularity as a baseball player and a hero to many in the Cuban-American community.
The viewing was scheduled to last until about 11 p.m. A private funeral Mass is set Thursday for the Fernandez family and Marlins players and personnel.
Earlier, Marlins players and officials gathered outside the team's ballpark to send off a hearse containing Fernandez's body.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash in which the 24-year-old Fernandez's boat slammed into a rock jetty off South Beach early Sunday.
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3:05 p.m.
A hearse carrying the body of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez has been escorted from the team's ballpark by players and personnel.
More than 1,000 people turned out Wednesday to pay tribute to the 24-year-old Fernandez, who died in a boating crash Sunday with two friends.
Many in the crowd chanted "Jose! Jose!" and waved Cuban flags as the hearse passed by. Marlins players, coaches and personnel wore white T-shirts with the letters "RIP" and an image of Fernandez.
A public viewing is scheduled later Wednesday at a Miami-area Catholic church, followed by a private funeral Mass on Thursday.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash early Sunday into a rock jetty off South Beach.
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11:45 a.m.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is asking for an investigation into the safety of the rock jetty off South Beach where a weekend boat crash killed Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez and two others.
In a letter Wednesday, the Florida Republican asked the Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers to closely examine the jetty, which he says has long been a hazard to boaters. Rubio says the danger is particularly acute at night when the low-lying rocks are difficult to see.
The Coast Guard has said navigational aids meant to guide boats away from the jetty at the mouth of Miami's port were working when the crash happened early Sunday. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the crash.
A public memorial for the 24-year-old star pitcher is set Wednesday afternoon.
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8 a.m.
The Miami Marlins have scheduled a public memorial service for pitcher Jose Fernandez, who was killed in a weekend boat crash along with two friends.
The team said in a news release that fans can gather Wednesday along the west side of Marlins Park for the departure of a funeral motorcade at 2:16 p.m. Fernandez wore No. 16 on his jersey.
A public viewing will be held at St. Brendan's Catholic Church from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. A private funeral Mass will be held Thursday for family and Marlins players and personnel.
Instead of flowers, the Fernandez family asks for charitable contributions to the JDF16 Foundation, which is online at www.MiamiFoundation.org/jdf16.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash early Sunday into a rock jetty off South Beach.
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