Angels pitcher Adenhart killed in hit-and-run collision

April 9, 1:23 PMLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim ExaminerWilliam Martinez

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AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Nick Adenhart, a 22-year-old rookie right-hander with all the promise in the world,  was killed along with two other people early Thursday morning when the sports car he was riding in was struck by a minivan, according to authorities.

The native of Silver Springs, Md. had started Wednesday's game between the Angels and Oakland Athletics, going six innings and allowing seven hits and no runs.

UCI Medical Center spokesman John Murray said that Adenhart died while undergoing surgery.

Adenhart and three people were in a silver Mitsubishi when the minivan struck the car, Anaheim police Lt. Craig Brower said.

Also killed in the crash was Courtney Stewart, 20, of Diamond Bar. Stewart was a student at Cal State Fullerton and a member of the school's cheerleading squad.

An unnamed source told Yahoo! Sports that the lone survivor of the foursome in the Mitsubishi is Jon Wilhite.

Wilhite, 24, was a reserve last season for the CSUF baseball team and a media relations intern in the sports information office.

He is in intensive care at a local hospital.

The fourth passenger, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was later identified as 25-year-old Kevin Pearson of Manhattan Beach. Pearson was a law student who aspired to become a sports agent after graduation.

Fullerton police captured the driver, identified as 22-year-old Andrew Gallo of Riverside, about 30 minutes later. According to Lt. Kevin Hamilton at a press conference held this morning, Gallo will be booked for driving under the influence, felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter.

They also said Gallo, whose record had past arrests for drunk driving, could be charged with murder based on judges' warnings during the disposition of a previous case.

"The Angels family has suffered a tremendous loss today," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said in a statement released by the club this morning.  "We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick's family, friends' loved ones and fans."