Tragic news: Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart killed in hit-and-run

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Terrible news out of California this morning, where we've just learned that the Angels rookie Nick Adenhart was killed in an early morning hit-and-run accident in Fullerton on Thursday.

The news was first reported by TMZ and later confirmed by Yahoo! Sports baseball columnist Tim Brown.

Just 22 years old, Adenhart started for Los Angeles on Wednesday night and struck out five batters over six scoreless innings in a 6-4 loss to Oakland. It was only the fourth start of his young career and first since earning the third spot in the Angels' rotation over spring training.

According to reports, Adenhart was driving home with three others in his silver Mitsubishi when a mini-van ran through a red light and hit Adenhart's car, causing it to crash into a light pole. Two passengers in the car died on the scene while Adenhart was taken to the hospital where he died undergoing surgery, according to a spokesman from the UC-Irvine Medical Center. The driver of the mini-van fled the scene, but was later apprehended by police.

This is the most tragic news you can imagine in the baseball world and our thoughts go out to Adenhart's family and the entire Angels' organization, which was already reeling from the death of a fan who was involved in a fight on Opening Day.

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Story Highlights
Adenhart was among three people killed in a crash in Fullerton, California
Witnesses say a minivan ran a red light and struck two vehicles at 12:23 a.m.
The minivan's driver faces manslaughter, felony DUI and hit-and-run charges

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was among three people killed in a crash in Fullerton, California, early Thursday, according to the team and a hospital spokesman.

Adenhart, 22, from Silver Spring, Maryland, died at UC Irvine Medical Center, according to spokesman John Murray.

"The Angels family has suffered a tremendous loss today," Tony Reagins, the team's general manager, said in a written statement. "We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick's family, friends, loved ones and fans."

One person was arrested in connection with the three-vehicle accident that occurred about 12:23 a.m. Thursday in Fullerton, south of Los Angeles. Witnesses say a red minivan ran a red light and struck two vehicles at a Fullerton intersection, police Lt. Craig Brower told CNN.

One of the vehicles, a gray Mitsubishi, slammed into a power pole, Brower said. Two of its passengers were dead at the scene, he said. The other two were transported to UC Irvine Medical Center.

Murray said Adenhart underwent surgery and died at the hospital, but did not know if he died during or after the procedure. Brower said the remaining passenger was in critical condition.

The Angels said the two dead at the scene included the female driver of the Mitsubishi and another male. No other members of the Angels organization were involved, the team said.

A passenger in the minivan was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, Brower said. The third vehicle sustained minor damage, and its driver was unhurt, he said. Police did not identify any of the dead.

The minivan's driver fled the scene and was later arrested, Brower said. Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, of Riverside will face charges of manslaughter, felony driving under the influence and hit-and-run, he said.

Footage from the scene showed the minivan with a smashed front end and the Mitsubishi, which was heavily damaged. Debris littered the intersection where the crash took place, and it was cordoned off with yellow police tape.

Adenhart is survived by his father, Jim, and mother, Janet, the Angels' statement said.

"Nick's family expresses sincere gratitude for all the help the Angels have provided," the family said in a statement released by the team.

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

Funeral and memorial arrangements were pending, the team said.

Adenhart pitched in a game against the Oakland A's Wednesday night in Anaheim, California, making what was characterized as a "brilliant effort" despite the Angels' 6-4 loss, according to Major League Baseball's Web site, MLB.com.

In his fourth major league start, Adenhart pitched a scoreless six innings, allowing seven hits, three walks and five strikeouts.

"I thought he pitched a terrific game," manager Mike Scioscia told MLB.com after the game and before the crash took place. "He gave us a chance to win. He has better tools out there now. He pitched ahead a lot and was able to get back in counts and put guys away."

"It felt good to work out of some jams early," Adenhart told MLB.com. "My curveball was really working for me, and then my change came on later when I felt I needed it."

MLBPA Executive Director Donald Fehr issued the following statement:

"We were shaken and deeply saddened when we learned about the terrible accident that claimed the lives of Nick Adenhart and others. Just hours before the accident, Nick demonstrated his passion for baseball and his prospects for a very bright future when he pitched six scoreless innings for the Angels. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick's family, his teammates, the Angels organization and his many friends and fans; it is very painful to lose a son, a teammate and a friend under these circumstances, and we also extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the other victims of the crash."

The Angels drafted Adenhart in the 14th round of the June 2004 draft, according to the team statement. He was in his fifth professional season and made the Angels Opening Day Roster for the first time.

"Adenhart earned his spot in the Angels rotation via a spring training in which he recorded a 3-0 record and a 3.12 ERA over the course of six starts," the team statement said. "During that span, he struck out 18 while allowing only five base on balls."

Adenhart made his major league debut May 1, 2008, against Oakland, the team said. At the time, he was the youngest active-roster pitcher in the majors.

Adenhart was a 2004 graduate of Williamsport High School in Williamsport, Maryland. His baseball coach there, Rod Steiner, told CNN affiliate WHAG, "After watching last night, as well as he pitched ... things seemed to be going so smooth. This is the last thing that you ever imagine."

He remembered Adenhart as a hard worker who knew he wanted to be a major-league pitcher while still in high school, and worked hard to achieve that goal, despite a setback when he had to undergo shoulder surgery.

He said area residents who didn't even know Adenhart followed his career and cheered him on. "He touched a lot of lives."

-- CNN's Rosalina Nieves and Irving Last contributed to this report.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/04/09/adenhart.killed/index.html?cnn=yes