The career of a promising young Major League Baseball pitcher ended suddenly and tragically at the hands of a 22-year-old driver who police say was driving under the influence. Los Angeles Angels' Nick Adenhart was one of three people killed in an auto crash shortly after he pitched against the Oakland Athletics.Police identified the accused drunken driver as Andrew Thomas Gallo.
A few hours after his best performance as a major leaguer, Adenhart, 22, was a passenger in a Mitsubishi Eclipse that was hit by a minivan after the driver ran a red light. The crash occurred about five miles from Angel Stadium.
The driver of the Mitsubishi, Courtney Frances Stewart, 20 and another passenger Henry Pearson were also killed in the collision. Another passenger Jon Wilhite was injured in the crash and hospitalized. A passenger in the minivan was also taken to the hospital.
Fled From the Scene
After the crash, police say Gallo ran away from the scene, but was captured shortly thereafter. He will be charged with felony hit and run, felony driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.
It is not Gallo's first brush with the law. In May 2006, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and was sentenced to three years of probation, fined $1,400 and ordered to attend a first-offender alcohol program.
In 2007, Gallo pleaded guilty to possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.
Discharged From Recovery Program
Last September, Gallo enrolled in an alcohol recovery program run by a Los Angeles ministry that has helped thousands of men during the past 30 years. Gallo was kicked out of the program because of his attitude.
"I discharged him because of his attitude," director of the program, Mario Harper told reporters. "He was discharged because of his belligerence and his attitude. He just had a gang-banger attitude."
It wasn't Gallo's first trip to the six-month recovery program. He entered the first time in March 2007 and completed it without a problem, Harper said.
Angels Stunned by Tragedy
The death of Adenhart stunned the Angels and all of baseball.
The Angels postponed their scheduled game Thursday night with the Oakland Athletics. Major League Baseball called for a moment of silence before every game Thursday. The Angels are scheduled to play the Boston Red Sox at home today.
"It is a tragedy that will never be forgotten," Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said.
News Sources:
DUI Arrest, Alcohol Rehab in Suspect's Background
Pitcher's Death Stuns Angels and Baseball
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Another sad story, yes. We continue to witness these tragedies. Although we are constantly made aware about the Do not Drink and Drive Campaigns, the BAC levels, charts, and statistics, it has been my experience, over 25 years, personal recovery as well as listening to thousands of “problem drinkers seeking help”,
I have concluded: Once the alcohol touches the mouth of the problem drinker/ alcoholic, all the statistics, education, meetings, rehabs. charts, books, past problems, are no longer thought about.
In my 25+ year’s experience, the problem drinker/ alcoholic’s thoughts after the first drink over a matter of time are; where can I get more and it will be different this time!
My question is, how you stop the problem drinker / alcoholic from taking the first drink while
allowing the “social drinker” to drink responsibility? After all, all the state laws have very little effect, if any, to the problem drinker / alcoholic after the first drink is consumed.