ShareThisPolice may request second-degree murder charges against an Inland man arrested Thursday morning in connection with the traffic crash that killed Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart.
Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22 of Fullerton, Calif., was driving a red minivan that may have run a red light and broadsided a silver Mitsubishi sedan carrying Adenhart, two other people who were also killed and a fourth person who was injured. The impact spun both vehicles and one hit a Honda.
Adenhart, 22, was taken to UCI Medical Center where he died in surgery, the release stated.
Thursday night's scheduled game against Oakland has been postponed.
Gallo ran away from the scene and was arrested a half-hour later by Anaheim police, stated a Fullerton Police Department news release. He is being treated at UCI Medical Center for injuries and arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving, felony hit and run and vehicular manslaughter, the release stated.
Gallo's license remained suspended from a prior drunken driving conviction, said spokeswoman Sylvia Palmer Murdick.
In San Bernardino County, a man with the same name, Andrew Thomas Gallo, and same age, 22 pleaded guilty to a driving under the influence charge in May of 2006, court records show.
He was placed on three years' probation and ordered to attend a county-approved first-offender alcohol program, and pay fines of about $1,400.
The same 22-year-old Andrew Thomas Gallo also plead guilty to possessing less than one ounce of marijuana in 2007 and entered a guilty plea to failure to wear a seat belt in 2006 court records show.
The marijuana charge came during the probationary period for the driving under the influence case. After Gallo's guilty plea he was ordered to continue in the county-approved alcohol program, court records show.
Because of the prior conviction, authorities can pursue second-degree murder charges against Gallo. But that decision is made by the Orange County district attorney's office. Spokeswoman Farrah Emami said once the case is presented to the office they will determine which if any charges are appropriate.
Authorities pronounced a 20-year-old woman and 27-year-old man dead at the scene. A 24-year-old man also in the Mitsubishi was listed in critical condition at the UCI Medical Center, the release stated. Later reports have identified the woman as Courtney Frances Stewart of Diamond Bar, Calif., who apparently was driving the Mitsubishi.
A woman who answered the phone this morning on Harding Street in Riverside, an address listed for Andrew Thomas Gallo, said she was a relative, speaking on behalf of Gallo's parents.
She said his parents were "too distraught" to talk about the accident that claimed the life of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others in Fullerton.
The modest house, decorated with icicle lights, is on a cul-de-sac behind the Riverside Medical Center. Baby shoes and pink baby clothes were on the front porch. The blinds were drawn and no one answered the doorbell.
"The Angels family has suffered a tremendous loss today. 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," general manager Tony Reagins said.
According to Baseball America, Adenhart, a rookie right-hander, was the Angels' top prospect. He had just pitched six shutout innings against the Oakland A's hours before the accident. It was Adenhart's fourth career Major League start.
After the game and before the accident, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said, "He got it done when he had to. It's a good start for Nick."
The team said Adenhart was survived by his parents, Jim and Janet.
"He lived his dream and was blessed to be part of an organization comprised of such warm, caring, and compassionate people," the family said in a statement issued through the team.
"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."
The Major League Baseball Players Association said its members were shaken and saddened about the accident.
"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," the association said in a statement.
(Press-Enterprise reporters Michael Becker, Sonja Bjelland and Richard K. De Atley contributed to this story. Contact them at mbecker@PE.com, sbjelland@PE.com and rdeatley@PE.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
Must credit The Press-Enterprise of Riverside, Calif.
