Tonight's game has been cancelled.
I hate to rain on the parade, but TMZ is reporting:
TMZ has learned Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a felony hit-and-run car accident in Fullerton, California early this morning -- hours after he pitched in a game last night.
Cops say someone driving a minivan blew through a red light, causing the Mitsubishi that Adenhart was riding in to hit a light pole. Three people were killed in the crash, including Nick.
Cops say the person driving the van fled the scene -- but was later caught and charged with felony hit-and-run. The suspect is currently being treated for injuries in a local hospital.
We're told one of the other men killed in the crash was also affiliated with the Angels organization.
This is absolutely devastating. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Angels' organization and to Nick's family. I am shocked, saddened, and just heartsick at the loss of this young pitcher.
And let's not forget the other two people who were also killed in the crash; reports say that out of the four in the car, three have died.
Update: The Angels' have just released this statement (TMZ):
Angels Baseball this morning announced the passing of right-hander Nick Adenhart, the victim of a fatal automobile accident in Fullerton, CA. Two other individuals were also killed in the incident.
Adenhart, 22, was a passenger in a silver Mitsubishi along with three others. Fullerton Police reported the Mitsubishi proceeded through an intersection, when a van ran a red light and broadsided the vehicle. A female driver and male passenger in the Mitsubishi were dead when police and fire department personnel arrived. Adenhart died as the result of his injuries at UCI Medical Center earlier this morning. No other members of the Angels organization were involved.
Adenhart pitched a masterful six innings in last night's game against Oakland (6 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 SO), leaving with a 4-0 lead before a late-inning rally resulted in a 6-4 Angels defeat.
The game tonight will probably be cancelled. (Update: It is.)
Update from the press conference:
The woman who died in the car with Nick was named Courtney Stewart. The name of the other person killed has not yet been released.
The driver of the van that ran the red light, 22-year-old Andrew Thomas Gallo of Riverside, appears to have been drunk and driving on a suspended license (for previous DUI charges). He fled the scene, but his passenger remained behind. Gallo was apprehended and is currently in police custody.
Boras broke down in tears talking about Nick.
Update from TMZ (12:30) on the fourth person in the crash:
We're told Jon Wilhite, a former baseball star at Cal State Fullerton, is moving his legs, but is currently receiving treatment in the medical center's Intensive Care Unit.
TMZ just spoke with the Director of Athletics for Cal. State Fullerton -- where Jon and the driver of the Mitsubishi, Courtney Stewart , went to school -- who just released this statement:
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Courtney Stewart and Jon Wilhite. The world of athletics is not equipped for these kinds of tragic events. We understand Jon is conscious and his injuries are not immediately life-threatening."
