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Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart killed in car crash
The Anaheim Angels have canceled tonight’s game against the Oakland A’s after the death of up-and-coming Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the 22-year-old died in a car crash only hours after he pitched in last night’s game.
The Anaheim Angels have canceled tonight’s game against the Oakland A’s after the death of up-and-coming Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the 22-year-old died in a car crash only hours after he pitched in last night’s game.
Susan Valot: Fullerton police say Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart was riding in a car with three friends when a drunk driver in a van ran a red light at Orangethorpe Avenue and Lemon Street.
Investigators say the van slammed into the car Adenhart rode in and sent it into a light pole. Two people died on the scene. Adenhart died later at UC Irvine Medical Center.
The driver, Andrew Gallo of Riverside, fled on foot, but police eventually arrested him. Authorities say Gallo had a previous drunk driving conviction and was driving with a suspended license. Angels Manager Mike Scioscia called Adenhart’s death a huge loss to baseball and to the people who knew him.
Mike Scioscia: We were very proud of him. It was a privilege to watch. As his family should be very proud of where Nick was at age 18 when we first met him, to how he – the person he grew into. And that’s the memory we’re going to move forward with.
Valot: Nick Adenhart had made his fourth major league start last night. He struck out five batters in six scoreless innings against the Oakland A’s. Adenhart’s agent says he was blessed with a lot of skill and “knew how to battle.”
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