FULLERTON, Calif., April 10 (UPI) -- California prosecutors Friday filed murder, drunken driving and other charges against a suspect in the crash that killed LA Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart.
Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told reporters the suspect, Andrew Gallo, acted "selfishly and recklessly" in allegedly causing the crash that killed Adenhart, 22, and two others -- Courtney Frances Stewart, 20, and Henry Pearson, 25. Rackauckas said Gallo had a previous conviction on DUI charges, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Gallo, 22, faces up to 55 years to life in prison if convicted of all charges against him, which include fleeing the scene of an accident. Prosecutors said Gallo was quickly apprehended after running from the scene of the crash.
Police said Adenhart, Stewart, Pearson and Jon Wilhite, 24 -- who was hospitalized in critical condition -- were on their way to a dance club, with Stewart at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Eclipse. As they entered an intersection, investigators said, Gallo ran a red light in a minivan at 50 mph to 60 mph and struck the Mitsubishi.
The collision occurred in Fullerton, Calif., just hours after Adenhart made his first start of the season -- and just his fourth major-league start overall -- for the Angels Wednesday night. The team announced that players will wear a patch with his number 34 on their uniforms this season.
The Angels' game in Oakland Thursday night was postponed. There was a moment of silence in honor of Adenhart before Friday night's game between the Angels and Boston in Anaheim.
