Texas Rangers prospect, 18, survives car crash in the Dominican Republic that killed his friend, 23

Texas Rangers outfield prospect Bayron Lora is recovering after he was involved in a single-car accident that killed his 23-year-old friend. 

Lora, 18, was driving a Toyota Hilux pickup truck when he crashed on the side of a road in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, on Saturday.

The accident killed Noruel Paulino and injured two other passengers, Luigui Albino and Randol Valenzuela in the vehicle, according to Diario Libre. 

Paulino was the cousin of Arizona Diamondbacks star infielder Ketel Marte. He was laid to rest Sunday.

Texas Rangers outfield prospect Bayron Lora (right) was released from a hospital in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, Saturday after he was involved in a single-car crash that killed his friend, 23-year-old Noruel Paulino. At least two other passengers were injured in the accident. The 18-year-old Lora was signed by Texas as an international free agent in 2019 and received a $3.9 million signing bonus

Noruel Paulino (pictured), whose cousin Ketel Marte plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was killed in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Saturday

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have not revealed the cause of Saturday's single-car accident in the province of San Cristobal that left one man dead and injured three others, including Texas Rangers 18-year-old power-hitting outfielder, Bayron Lora

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Marte honored his late cousin by homering during his at-bat Saturday in a spring training game against San Diego.

"I dedicated my first spring training home run to my cousin Noruel Paulino, who died [Friday] in the car accident involving Rangers prospect Bayron Lora,' he said. 'Before the game, I put it in God's hands and that's how it came out.'

Lora was hospitalized and discharged on Saturday, local baseball writer Héctor Gómez reported on his Twitter account.

Noruel Paulino was killed in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Saturday. At least three other people were injured in the accident, including Bayron Lora, an outfield prospect with the Texas Rangers

The Toyota Hilux driven by Lora is seen at the side of the road after crashing Saturday in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic

 In an Instagram Stories post, Lora lamented Paulino's death while adding that he and his wife were doing well.

'Good evening ... thanks to everyone who has been worried about me. I understand that many versions have been [reported] , such as that I am [in serious condition], that my wife (Riqueiny Tamarez) had died in the accident, etc. I want to inform you that we are fine, my wife and I thank God,' Lora wrote. 'I am very sorry for the loss of our friend Noruel. God keep you in His holy glory.' 

None of his teammates were involved in the accident, according to local reports.

'We are aware of the accident involving Bayron Lora and several other individuals today in the Dominican Republic,' the Rangers said in a statement. 'We are working to gather more information at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals who were involved in this accident and with their families.' 

Texas signed Lora to $3.9 million bonus as an international free agent in July 2019.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the teenage power-hitter did not play professionally in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league baseball season.

Lora is expected to make his professional debut this season in the Dominican Summer League. 

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