Thread: Nick Adenhart Killed in Car Crash

That's horrible.

Originally Posted by Denver Native (Carol)

Terrible story - most likely alcohol or something. Prayers for strength and courage for his family.

It was plus the driver had a suspended license for drunk driving...friggin moron.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/spor...itcher.Killed/

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others were killed by a suspected drunk driver Thursday, a shocking end to the life of a rookie who had overcome major elbow surgery to realize his big league dreams.

The accident in neighboring Fullerton occurred hours after the 22-year-old pitcher made his season debut with his father in the stands, throwing six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics. The Angels ultimately lost the game, 6-4.

The team postponed Thursday night's game with Oakland, the final one of their season-opening series. Players planned to gather to remember their teammate, manager Mike Scioscia said.

``It is a tragedy that will never be forgotten,'' he said at an Angel Stadium news conference.

Adenhart was a passenger in a silver Mitsubishi Eclipse that was broadsided in an intersection about 12:30 a.m. by a minivan that apparently ran a red light, police said.

The impact spun around both vehicles, and one then struck another car but that driver was not hurt, police said.

The minivan driver fled the crash on foot and was captured about 30 minutes later. Police identified him as Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, of Riverside, and said he had a suspended license because of a previous drunken driving conviction.

Preliminary results indicated Gallo's blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit of .08 percent, police Lt. Kevin Hamilton said.

He said Gallo would be booked on charges of hit-and-run and driving under the influence, both felonies, along with vehicular manslaughter and possibly murder. A spokeswoman for the Orange County district attorney's office said charges against Gallo likely wouldn't be filed Thursday because police were still investigating.

Adenhart died in surgery at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. Henry Nigel Pearson of Manhattan Beach, a 25-year-old passenger in the car, and the driver, 20-year-old Courtney Frances Stewart of Diamond Bar, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Stewart was a student at nearby Cal State Fullerton, where she was a cheerleader in 2007-08.

Another passenger, 24-year-old Jon Wilhite of Manhattan Beach, was in critical condition at UC Irvine Medical Center, although he was expected to survive, a hospital spokesman said. Wilhite played baseball from 2004-08 at Cal State Fullerton.

Stewart's mother said her daughter and Adenhart had known each other since last season but were not dating as far as she knew, Hamilton said.

The mother said Adenhart and the others had gone dancing at a club about a block away from the crash site, although the crash scene appeared to indicate the car was heading in the direction of the club, Hamilton said.

At the ballpark Wednesday night, Adenhart did his job. He scattered seven hits over six scoreless innings and escaped twice after loading the bases in just his fourth major league start.

``I battled early and it felt good to get out of some jams,'' he said.

Adenhart left with a 4-0 lead before the bullpen gave away what would have been his second major league victory.

``He lived his dream and was blessed to be part of an organization comprised of such warm, caring, and compassionate people,'' his 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.''

Adenhart had made a slow climb to reach the majors.

He hurt his pitching elbow two weeks before the June 2004 major league draft, when he was projected as a top-five pick out of Williamsport High in Maryland.

But the setback dropped him to the 14th round, where the Angels selected him. He underwent Tommy John surgery - a reconstructive operation on an elbow ligament - later that month and spent most of next four seasons in the minors.

Adenhart struggled with a 9.00 ERA in three starts for the Angels last season, but Scioscia said last month the right-hander had worked hard over the winter and arrived at spring training with a purpose.

He was made the No. 3 starter as the season began this week because of injuries to John Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar, all of whom are on the disabled list.

Adenhart's father had flown out from Baltimore to attend the game.

``He told his dad that he'd better come here, that something special was going to happen,'' said Scott Boras, Adenhart's agent, who wept at a stadium news conference.

After the game, ``he was so elated ... he felt like a major leaguer,'' Boras said.

The agent said he spoke with Adenhart and his father, Jim, a retired Secret Service agent, in the clubhouse lobby until about 11:30 p.m. The pitcher and his father were staying at a nearby hotel.

On Thursday afternoon, Jim Adenhart walked out onto the field in the empty stadium and spent several moments alone on the pitcher's mound. Wearing a red sweatshirt, the Angels' color, he briefly covered his eyes with one hand.

Adenhart's mother, Janet, was flying to Anaheim. His parents were divorced.

``To, I think, focus on his loss is not what we need to do here today, we need to focus on who Nick was and his achievement,'' Boras said. ``His parents really want to communicate to everyone that it's a very difficult moment, but it's also a very special moment because Nick was most accomplished and his life's goal was to be a major league baseball player and he certainly achieved that standard.''

The tragedy adds another chapter to the Angels' string of misfortune over the years.

Just this week, a 27-year-old fan died after being assaulted at Angel Stadium on opening day.

Infielder Chico Ruiz and rookie pitcher Bruce Heinbechner were killed in car accidents in the early 1970s, as was shortstop Mike Miley in 1977. The following year, star outfielder Lyman Bostock was shot and killed during the offseason in Gary, Ind.

In 1989, reliever Donnie Moore shot his wife and then killed himself three years after giving up a big home run that kept the Angels from winning the American League pennant.

A small but steady stream of somber fans came to the stadium Thursday to add flowers to a makeshift memorial on the pitcher's mound on the brick ``infield'' outside the stadium entrance.

A poster among the bouquets read, ``No. 34, You are one more Angel in heaven.'' Scribbled on a baseball was, ``Now you play for another Angels team.''

i heard today that this guy Gallo was a multiple DUI offender... He even agreed in his last trial with the Judge that if he killed somebody drunk driving the judge would charge him with murder.........

this guy will never see freedom again

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4065917

FULLERTON, Calif. -- A judge has increased bail to $2 million for the 22-year-old man charged with three counts of murder, felony drunken driving and other counts in the traffic collision death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two other people.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Roger B. Robbins continued Andrew Gallo's arraignment until June 8 at Monday's hearing. He did not enter a plea.

Police say the San Gabriel resident had nearly triple the legal blood-alcohol level when he ran a red light in his minivan Thursday and hit the car carrying Adenhart.

Also killed were the car's 20-year-old driver, Courtney Stewart of Diamond Bar, and 25-year-old passenger Henry Pearson of Manhattan Beach.

Officials say Gallo could get nearly 55 years to life in prison if convicted of all charges.