Tragedy strikes Angels baseball team, Major League Baseball

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart and two other people were killed Thursday when a minivan ran a red light and struck their sports car, authorities said.

Adenhart, 22, died after undergoing surgery, University of California, Irvine Medical Center spokesman John Murray said.

A fourth person remained hospitalized in critical condition.

Adenhart, of Silver Springs, Md., was the Angels’ No. 3 starter. He threw six scoreless innings Wednesday night in his fourth major-league start and first of the season. Oakland won the game 6-4.

Adenhart and three other people were in a silver Mitsubishi that was struck shortly before 12:30 a.m. by a minivan that ran a red light and also hit another vehicle, police said.


The sports car struck a light pole, killing three people inside.

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.

Adenhart, a right-hander, earned a spot in the starting rotation on an injury-plagued Angels staff by impressing manager Mike Scioscia late in spring training.

The pitcher made his major league debut May 1 of last year, also against Oakland. He made two other starts, getting his only decision in a victory over the Chicago White Sox on May 12. He was 37-28 in the minor leagues from 2005-08, including 9-13 last year at Triple-A Salt Lake.

I heard about this from a friend, who heard the news on the radio this morning. This is truly a tragedy.

This was crazy it was the first thing i heard on sportscenter when i woke up.. dude was lights out just hours before bein killed.. sad day for baseball..

That terrible.. very good prospect.. gone.. because of some jackass.. terrible.

This is what happens when you drink and drive, so I suggest no one to do so.

this is sad to hear.

WHY DUDE WHY!! This day saddens me and all of baseball

Unreal. I cant believe it..Then again I can .This is just another hard truth of the sad state of society that we live in.So young and so much promise gone becuse some fool (im sure) was drinking and driving.Terrible.

its sad to see anyone die.... but for athletes who work so hair their entire lives, and don't get to live out their dream.... its tragic.