Spring Break
Angels rookie Adendart killed in car crash
Gillian Flaccus The Associated Press
Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: Sports
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- 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.
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.
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