Angels Top Prospect Nick Adenhart Dead

[3 Seconds]

22 years old & had a world of talent.

Just watched him pitch a very good game last night vs the A's. 6 shut out innings.

Very sad.

Thoughts & prayers go out to his family.

RIP Nick.

Nick Adenhart, a rookie pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, died in a hit-and-run car crash early Thursday morning, just hours after pitching in a game in Anaheim.


Adenhart
University of California, Irvine Medical Center spokesman John Murray said Adenhart died after undergoing surgery.

Adenhart, 22, was one of three people killed in the crash just after midnight local time, after pitching in a loss against the Oakland Athletics. He got a no-decision after six scoreless innings, giving up seven hits, striking out five and walking three in just his fourth major league start.

The driver of a minivan ran a red light in Fullerton and hit two cars. According to the Los Angeles Times, two people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two were taken to a hospital. The fourth person is reported to be seriously injured.

The Times reported that the minivan's driver ran from the scene, but was arrested about a mile away.

Adenhart, a 6-foot-3, 185-pounder from Silver Spring, Md., made his major league debut on May 1, 2008. He has spent most of his time since with Triple-A Salt Lake, but got his break this year with a good spring training and the fact the team needed help in the starting rotation, with John Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar all starting on the disabled list.

 

[Morris]

Sad to hear about this. Talented kid and way too young to be gone.

 

[hedgehog]

sad, sad story, was he hit by a drunk driver?

 

[Jaxx]

Sad

RIP

 

[yyz]

dickiesports probably had a bet on him last night, and then made a "wish" after the loss.

 

[Old School]

Angels' Nick Adenhart killed by drunk driver, police say

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Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times​

Robert Vargas, left, and Jason Lozano were among the many fans who stopped at Angel Stadium to leave flowers and remember pitcher Nick Adenhart. More photos >>>


[COLOR=#333333! important]Two friends of the pitcher also died and another is in critical condition after an early-morning car crash in Fullerton. Police have made an arrest in connection with the accident.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#999999! important]By Mike DiGiovanna and Bill Shaikin
3:07 PM PDT, April 9, 2009 [/COLOR]
<!-- sphereit start -->Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two friends were killed today when a minivan driven by an alleged drunk driver broadsided their car after running a red light, authorities said.

The crash occurred hours after the 22-year-old appeared in Wednesday night's Angels game. He died shortly after midnight when the minivan slammed into the car in which he was riding at the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and Lemon Street in Fullerton, police said.

• Photos: Angels pitcher Nick...
  
  
• How the crash unfolded.
  
  

• Video: Adenhart's coach speaks out
• Angels saw Nick Adenhart settling into a prominent role
• Video: Angels in shock over Adenhart's death

Police arrested Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, of San Bernardino, on suspicion of felony driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter, said Lt. Kevin Hamilton of the Fullerton Police Department, who appeared at a news conference this morning at Angel Stadium. Gallo has a prior DUI conviction and his driver's license had been suspended, Hamilton said.

Police said the accident occurred after Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, 20, of Diamond Bar, Henry Pearson, 25 of Manhattan Beach, and Jon Wilhite, 25, had spent the evening at a nearby dance club. Police believe the four had just left Stewart's apartment in north Fullerton when they were hit.

After the accident, Gallo allegedly fled on foot, but officers caught up with him a mile away and took him into custody on suspicion of hit-and-run, police said.


Stewart and Pearson died in the crash with Adenhart. According to friends at Cal State Fullerton, Pearson was a law student who wanted to be a sports agent. Wilhite was taken to UCI Medical Center in critical condition. He is a former catcher for the Cal State Fullerton Titans.

A passenger in the minivan, Raymond Alexander Rivera, 21, of Covina, was taken to a hospital, but his condition was unknown. A third vehicle driven by Estevan Quiroz, 33, was involved, but there were no reports of injuries.

The death of a promising pitcher left the Angels organization in mourning. The team announced that tonight's game with the Oakland Athletics had been postponed.

By noon today, a memorial at Angel Stadium was covered with flowers, stuffed animals and a sign that read: "No. 34. One more Angel in Heaven."

A makeshift shrine to Adenhart appeared on the brick pitcher's mound outside the entrance to Angel Stadium, where fans left bouquets of flowers, a rally monkey and a foam Angels finger.

Adenhart's Angels jersey, with his name and No. 34 on the back, was draped over the dais at the news conference, where Scott Boras, Adenhart's agent, was overcome by emotion.

"Nick's parents, Jim and Janet, wanted me to convey to the entire Angel organization the privilege and . . ." Then he stopped. The tears came out. His head dropped into his hands. "He's a great kid," Boras said.

Angels General Manager Tony Reagins said the feeling in the organization went beyond disbelief.

"We're all in shock," he said. "Nick had such a bright future. He was such a bright kid. We're going to deeply miss him. It's just so difficult to put into words how much he will be missed. He was a great person."

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia added: "For those of us who got to know Nick in the last four years, I can't tell you how proud we are in the growth we have seen."

A few blocks away from the stadium, at the A's team hotel, Oakland players were trying to come to grips with the news.

"I'm just devastated for Nick's family and friends and for the Angels," said pitcher Brett Anderson, who was scheduled to make his major league debut tonight. "It's terrible. Whatever happens with the game, I'll take in stride."

Dallas Braden, the A's opening-night starter, had pitched against Adenhart in the minor leagues.

"I'm in shock," Braden said. "I'm at a loss. Talk about a guy who was on his way, about to take baseball by storm. He was ready to bring it to the main stage, and it was all cut so short for no reason whatsoever."

Oakland second baseman Mark Ellis said he could see Adenhart's confidence grow throughout Wednesday night's game.


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