Nick Adenhart, top pitching prospect for the Los Angles Angels of Anaheim, was tragically killed in a hit and run accident early this morning just hours after posting the best start of his young career.
According to the University of California, Irvine Medical Center spokesman John Murray, Adenhart died after undergoing surgery.
At the age of 22, Adenhart was one of three people killed in the accident this morning, after pitching against the Oakland Athletics. In his 4th career start, he got a no-decision after six scoreless innings, giving up seven hits, striking out five and walking three in what was his top professional performance.
The driver of a minivan ran a red light at the intersection of Orangethorpe avenue and Lemon street 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 apprehended about a mile away.
Adenhart was the #1 prospect for the Angels and had already overcome much adversity in career. Coming back from Tommy John surgery as a high school senior, Adenhart was drafted in the 14th round by the Angels and promplty began his rise through the system as he came back from the surgery. He reached the top of the system in 2007 and even after a mediocre 2008 season he was still atop the list. Adenhart had an excellent Spring Training campaign and seemed poised to have a breakout rookie season.
It is a tragedy that prospecting community is no doubt feeling throughout its ranks this morning. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Adenhart family as well as the Angels community.
Forever an Angel. Nick Adenhart. 1986-2009.
I’m just in total shock. He was included in my game of the day report on Tuesday and then again in a news update I ran last night. To find this out this morning is heart breaking. My thoughts an prayers go out to his family and the others who died in this accident as well.
A preliminary test indicated the driver of the minivan, Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, had a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit, police Lt. Kevin Hamilton said at a news conference.
Gallo had a previous drunken driving conviction and was driving with a suspended license, police said.
You know, not just in this case that’s caught the attention of the world, but in so many cases I read about drunk drivers on suspended licenses doing this same damn thing over and over. It really is high time to make driving drunk or under drugs a bigger offense. This case should be treated as a murder – really, lock his ass up and send a message to the rest of the dead beats out there that we are coming after you.
Joba should feel pretty ashamed of himself today.