Man Charged in Death of Los Angeles Angels Pitcher

By Sarah Harper

Published on April 20, 2009

Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, was charged Friday in the deaths of a Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two other victims. Gallo is charged with three counts of murder, DUI, and leaving the scene of a crime.

The accident occurred around 12:35 Thursday morning in Fullerton, California. Gallo was driving at 65 mph in a 35 mph zone. According to police reports, his blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit. He ran a red light and struck a car, killing three of its occupants (Adenhart, 22, and two students [Courtney Stewart, 20, and Henry Pearson, 25]) and severely injuring a fourth (former Cal State Fullerton baseball player John Wilhite, 24). The driver of a third car suffered minor injuries. Gallo fled the scene after the wreck but was apprehended shortly thereafter.

At the time of the accident, Gallo was on probation, and his license had been suspended after a previous drunk driving charge. If convicted of all charges, Gallo could face life in prison.

Adenhart had played his fourth Major League game just hours before the crash. The Angels' Thursday night game was postponed in response to the loss.

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