Anthony Varvaro.Photo: Rob Tringali/MLB via Getty
A former MLB pitcher, who left baseball to pursue a career in law enforcement, died Sunday while en route to a 9/11 memorial event.
Trooper Brandi Slota, a spokesperson for the New Jersey State Police, told PEOPLE that the accident happened in Jersey City around 4:25 a.m. when his vehicle was struck.
Slota said Varvaro, 37, was traveling east when a vehicle traveling west struck the former baseball player in a head-on collision causing Varvaro’s vehicle to hit the concrete barrier.
Officials are still investigating the crash, the agency told PEOPLE.
Anthony Varvaro.NJ State Police/Twitter
Prior to his departure from baseball in 2016, Varvaro had played for the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox between2010-2015.
In 2016 he played for Boston’s top minor league affiliate team following an elbow injury that required surgery before retiring, theAssociated Pressreported.
The Atlanta Braves released a statement onTwitterSunday sharing their condolences for their former player.
“We are deeply saddened on the passing of former Braves pitcher Anthony Varvaro,” the statement read. “Anthony, 37, played parts of six seasons in the majors, including four with Atlanta.”
source: people.com
