ANAHEIM, Calif. - Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others were killed by a suspected drunken driver early yesterday, a shocking end to the life of a rookie who had overcome major elbow surgery to realize his big-league dreams.
The accident in Fullerton, Calif., occurred hours after the 22-year-old pitcher made his season debut Wednesday night with his father in the stands. The pitcher threw six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics, but the Angels lost the game, 6-4.
The team postponed last night's game with Oakland.
"It is a tragedy that will never be forgotten," manager Mike Scioscia said of the fatal accident.
Mr. Adenhart was a passenger in a Mitsubishi Eclipse that was broadsided about 12:30 a.m. by a minivan that apparently ran a red light, police said.
The minivan driver fled 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 from a previous drunken-driving conviction. Preliminary results indicated Mr. Gallo's blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit of 0.08 percent, police Lt. Kevin Hamilton said. He added that Mr. Gallo would be booked on charges of hit-and-run and driving under the influence, both felonies, along with vehicular manslaughter and possibly murder.
Mr. Adenhart died in surgery at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. Henry Nigel Pearson of Manhattan Beach, Calif., a 25-year-old passenger in the car, and the driver, 20-year-old Courtney Frances Stewart of Diamond Bar, Calif., were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Another passenger, Jon Wilhite, 24, of Manhattan Beach, was in critical condition. He is expected to survive.
Ms. Stewart's mother said Mr. Adenhart and the others had gone dancing at a club about a block away from the crash site.
"[Mr. Adenhart] 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.
"He told his dad that he'd better come here, that something special was going to happen," said Scott Boras, Mr. Adenhart's agent, who wept at a news conference. After the game, "he was so elated he felt like a major leaguer."
First Published April 10, 2009, 9:19 a.m.
