Angles Pitcher Killed This Morning In Accident

[bassNspear]

Nick Adenhart, a rookie pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, died in a hit-and-run car crash early Thursday morning, just hours after pitching in a game in Anaheim.

University of California, Irvine Medical Center spokesman John Murray said Adenhart died after undergoing surgery.

Adenhart, 22, was one of three people killed in the crash just after midnight local time, after pitching in a loss against the Oakland Athletics. He got a no-decision after six scoreless innings, giving up seven hits, striking out five and walking three in just his fourth major league start.

The driver of a minivan ran a red light in Fullerton and hit two cars, including one carrying Adenhart.

Police Lt. Craig Brower said the minivan driver fled the crash scene and was captured a short time later. The driver was arrested and booked for investigation of felony hit-and-run.

A fourth passenger was at the same hospital in critical condition.

According to the Los Angeles Times, two people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two were taken to Irvine Medical Center.

Adenhart, a 6-foot-3, 185-pounder from Silver Spring, Md., was a 14th-round pick in the 2004 draft, and made his major league debut on May 1, 2008.

He has spent most of his time since with Triple-A Salt Lake, but got his break this year with a good spring training and the fact the team needed help in the starting rotation, with John Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar all starting on the disabled list.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[paceman]

Man that is terrible news...That driver that ran the red light is in deep do do....

[bassNspear]

it always happens that the person that ran the light or did the crime is always ok, but kills other people in the incident. Just not fair at all!

[Scott K]

Sad news

[Jim Uran]

Yeah no doubt sad news is right. Young talented kid.

[slipbobbin]

Just showz that anything can happen and that u should live everyday to it's fullest because u just dont know if there will be a tomorrow. Very sad news.

[pinkfloyd4ever]

man, thats too bad.

[Gary Crichton]

It was a 22 year old kid driving the mini van, and it was a hit and run. The driver of the van" suspended liscense and a previously DUI on his record.

They have also cancelled the game for tonight.

G.C.

[Windy City Walleye Hunter]

And blood alcohol was over the legal limit...yet he survived. What is the master plan? Sometimes you got to wonder!

[AceintheHole]

Very sad story. My prays go out to there families.

[Quackaddict9]

And blood alcohol was over the legal limit...yet he survived. What is the master plan? Sometimes you got to wonder!

nothing new, usually the hitter survives! Looks like he will be charged for hit and run felony, drunk driving and manslaughter.

[basssmasher*]

He should be charged w/ driving w/out a license but w/ 3 counts of murder , they will drop that charge. Our famous former center fielder put it best, when he said , one never knows what will happen in life or when, make sure u kiss your spouse and kids and tell them you love them every day when you leave for the day..One day we may not come back alive.