New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog
Another DWI traffic death has rocked the professional sports world. Baseball fans and players alike were shocked and saddened by yesterday’s untimely death of 22-year-old Angels’ pitcher, Nick Adenhart, who was killed when the vehicle in which he was riding was broadsided by a suspected drunk driver in Fullerton, California. The incident is all the more tragic as authorities report that the driver who caused the accident was on a suspended license for a previous DUI conviction.
The collision occurred early in the morning of April 9, just hours after the rookie pitcher threw six scoreless innings against the Oakland As in his forth major league start. According to police reports, a minivan driven by Andrew Gallo, 22, allegedly ran a red light and smashed into the side of the Mitsubishi Eclipse carrying Adenhart and three others. The tremendous force of the crash sent the Eclipse across the intersection and into a nearby utility pole.
Courtney Stewart, 20, the driver of the Mitsubishi, as well as another passenger, Henry Nigel Person, 25, both died at the scene. Adenhart survived the impact but later died at UC-Irvine Medical Center. Only one of the four, Jon Wilhite, 24, lived through the horrendous ordeal. He was listed in critical condition but is expected to pull through.
The accident became a hit-and-run when Gallo fled the scene on foot, but was picked up a half hour later by police about a mile from the accident. Already on a suspended license, according to police, Gallo’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit. Besides facing the consequences of a second drunk driving offense, he could end up going to jail should authorities press for more serious charges, such as vehicular manslaughter or even murder.
Another tragedy strikes Angels, MercuryNews.com, April 9, 2009