http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,513597,00.htmlLos Angeles Angels Pitcher Nick Adenhart Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash by Alleged Drunk Driver
Thursday, April 09, 2009
AP
Los Angeles rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart, 22, pictured here during an April 8 baseball game. Adenhart died in a hit-and-run car crash early Thursday.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed after a game early Thursday in a hit-and-run accident police say was the fault of a drunk driver.
Andrew Gallo, 22, of Riverside has a history of driving under the influence, was behind the wheel with a suspended license and is currently in custody facing felony charges, according to authorities in Fullerton, Calif.
Police said Gallo was driving a minivan when he ran a red light in Fullerton just before 12:30 a.m., striking two cars in a crash that left three people dead.
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Adenhart, 22, was among those killed just after he made his first start of the season.
University of California, Irvine Medical Center spokesman John Murray said the rookie pitcher died Thursday morning after undergoing surgery.
The Angels postponed their game against Oakland scheduled for Thursday night, but manager Mike Scioscia said the team will get together to remember Adenhart.
"It is a tragedy that will never be forgotten," he said at an Angel Stadium news conference.
General Manager Tony Reagins released a statement Thursday afternoon about the tragedy.
"The Angels family has suffered a tremendous loss today. We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick's family, friends' loved ones and fans."
No other members of the Angels organization were involved in the accident, the team said. Adenhart had just pitched a game against the Oakland A's mere hours earlier.
The driver, Gallo, allegedly fled the scene on foot was caught, arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run, said Fullerton Police Lt. Craig Brower.
Investigators said Gallo has a history of drunk driving and was in the minivan with a suspended license because of a previous DUI conviction.
Preliminary results indicated the Riverside resident's blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit, Fullerton police Lt. Kevin Hamilton said.
Photo Essays•Los Angeles Angels Pitcher Nick Adenhart
He could face charges including vehicular manslaughter or possibly murder, Hamilton said.
The three killed were in a silver Mitsubishi, which the van broadsided at an intersection.
The impact spun around both vehicles, and one then struck another car but that driver was not hurt, police said.
A 27-year-old man in the car and the driver, 20-year-old Courtney Frances Stewart of Diamond Bar, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Adenhart died on the operating table at UC Irvine hospital a short while later.
A fourth occupant is in critical condition, also at Irvine.
A passenger in the van suffered minor injuries.
Stewart's mother said her daughter and Adenhart had known each other since last season but were not dating as far as she knew, according to Hamilton.
The mother said Adenhart and the others had gone dancing at a club about a block away from the crash site, although the scene of the accident appeared to indicate the car was heading in the direction of the club, Hamilton said.
A 21-year-old passenger in the van was treated for minor injuries, police said.
Adenhart's death came shortly after he made his fourth major league start in Wednesday night's loss to Oakland. He threw six scoreless innings.
Adenhart's father had flown out from Baltimore to watch the game.
"He summoned his father the day before and he said, 'You better come here because something special's gonna happen,"' said Adenhart's agent, Scott Boras.
After the game, "he was so elated...he felt like a major leaguer," Boras said, weeping.
Adenhart struggled with a 9.00 ERA in three starts with the Angels last season, but Scioscia said last month the pitcher had worked hard over the winter and arrived at spring training with a purpose.
Adenhart is survived by his parents, Jim and Janet.
"He lived his dream and was blessed to be part of an organization comprised of such warm, caring, and compassionate people," the family said in a statement issued through the team.
"The Angels were his extended family. Thanks to all of Nick's loyal supporters and fans throughout his career. He will always be in everyone's hearts forever."
The Major League Baseball Players Association said its members were shaken and saddened about the accident.
"Just hours before the accident, Nick demonstrated his passion for baseball and his prospects for a very bright future when he pitched six scoreless innings for the Angels," the association said in a statement.
Fans, some wearing Angels shirts or carrying flowers, gathered at the intersection where the accident occurred Thursday.
Adenhart, a Maryland native who starred at Williamsport (Md.) High School, began the season this week as the Angels' No. 3 starter because of injuries to John Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar, all of whom are on the disabled list.
The pitcher made his major league debut May 1 of last year, also against Oakland.
He made two other starts, getting his only decision in a victory over the Chicago White Sox on May 12. He was 37-28 in the minor leagues from 2005-08, including 9-13 last year at Triple-A Salt Lake.
Aaron Wells was Adenhart's athletic trainer in 2005 when he played for Utah's Orem Owlz, a rookie league affiliate with the Angels.
"It was very obvious that he was going to be a successful professional pitcher," said Wells, now the team's general manager. "Very humble, extremely good in the club house. He was just such an unassuming guy, just went out and did his business."
There was a moment of silence to remember Adenhart before several major league games Thursday.
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FOXNews.com's Catherine Donaldson-Evans, FOX News' Harris Faulkner and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
