Friday, April 10, 2009

Tragedy strikes Angels

Nick Adenhart, a promising rookie pitcher for the Los Angels of Anaheim, was killed in an automobile accident, just hours after his impressive 2009 debut.

From this morning's LA Times;

Adenhart and two friends were killed early Thursday morning when their car was broadsided by a driver who police said had a suspended license and a previous drunk driving conviction. The news of the young pitcher's death stunned friends, teammates and fans, some driving to the Fullerton intersection to place flowers and candles in the roadway and others going to Anaheim Stadium, seemingly just to be there.

Adenhart's father, Jim, had flown in to watch his son pitch. The younger Adenhart, plagued by arm injuries the past two years, blanked Oakland over six innings, Wednesday night.

Spencer Weiner photo/LA Times

After leaving the Angels' stadium with friends, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Adenhart was riding in was struck broadside by a Toyota Sienna minivan driven by 22-year-old Andrew Thomas Gallo of Riverside. Gallo allegedly blew through a red light at 50 to 60 mph and struck the Eclipse, killing Adenhart.

Police said Gallo, convicted in San Bernardino County of drunk driving in 2006 and marijuana possession the following year, ran from the scene but was quickly apprehended. Fullerton Police Lt. Kevin Hamilton said his department planned to seek felony hit-and-run driving, DUI, vehicular manslaughter and, possibly, murder charges. A decision could be made today.

As fate would have it, the Red Sox travel to the west coast and will be the Angels opponent, Friday evening.

Bill Shaikin has a column today, on Adenhart's father, grieving and going through what no parent ever hopes to experience--the death of their child.

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