Fernandez was killed in a boating accident early Sunday morning when the boat that he and two friends were in crashed into a jetty near South Beach. His popularity and his survival to get to freedom in the U.S. from Cuba were inspiring to Miami’s large Cuban population.
Fernandez’ story is known throughout the sports world but was an incredible act of courage and survival to get to the U.S. His stepfather Ramon Jimenez came to the U.S. when Fernandez was 13. Fernandez and his mother attempted to escape multiple times.
His step-father had 14 attempts before he was successful getting to the U.