Los Angeles Angels Pitcher Dies After Vehicle Struck by Red Light Runner

Nick Adenhart, a rookie pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, was killed along with two other people on April 9, 2009, when their car was struck by a minivan running a red light in Fullerton, California, police said.

The 22-year-old Adenhart died after undergoing surgery at the University of California, Irvine, Medical Center , said hospital spokesman John Murray. A fourth passenger from the vehicle in which Adenhart was riding remained hospitalized in critical condition.

Adenhart and three other people were in a silver Mitsubishi that was struck shortly before 12:30 a.m. local time on April 9 when the minivan ran a red light and also hit another vehicle, police said.. The sports car struck a light pole, killing three people inside.

The crash took place just hours after Adenhart pitched in a loss against the Oakland Athletics. He got a no-decision after six scoreless innings, giving up seven hits, striking out five and walking three in just his fourth major league start.

"This is real life. This isn’t about baseball. This is his whole life, he had his whole life ahead of him. He’s only 22, he’s still a kid. He was a great kid, he was funny, he was very popular in the clubhouse and off the field. People loved him,” said Angels outfielder Torii Hunter.

Missouri Families for Safer Roads extends its condolences to the Adenhart family on behalf of our statewide coalition of law enforcement and survivors of red light running crashes.

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