Date: 4/10/2009
BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jim Adenhart walked to the empty pitcher’s mound in Angels Stadium where his son spent the last night of his life. He spent several quiet moments there, briefly covering his eyes with one hand.
The shock of Nick Adenhart’s death early Thursday in a car wreck caused by a suspected drunk driver was beginning to sink in for family, teammates and fans of the Los Angeles Angels rookie. Adenhart’s death came hours after his best showing yet in the major leagues.
Fans placed flowers, baseballs, posters and Rally Monkeys at a makeshift memorial on the pitcher’s mound of the replica brick infield near the stadium gates.
“He was here pitching yesterday, six amazing innings, had a really good game,” 17-year-old fan Rachel Watson said Thursday. “Today, he’s gone.”
The Angels planned to pay tribute to the 22-year-old pitcher before Friday night’s opener of a three-game series against Boston in Anaheim. They will wear a patch or emblem on their jerseys the rest of the season to honor him.
The team postponed Thursday night’s series finale against Oakland to mourn Adenhart, who was killed along with two other passengers in a car crash early Thursday in neighboring Fullerton.
The car they were riding in was broadsided in an intersection by a minivan that apparently ran a red light, police said.
Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, of Riverside, was driving on a suspended license because of a previous drunk driving conviction. Preliminary results indicated Gallo’s blood-alcohol level was “substantially over the legal limit” of .08 percent, police Lt. Kevin Hamilton said.
Gallo was booked into jail on three counts of murder, three counts of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run and driving under the influence of alcohol. No bail was set.
Outside Angels Stadium, a pile of flowers and tributes grew steadily.
“No. 34, You are one more Angel in heaven,” a poster read. Scribbled on a baseball was, “Now you play for another Angels team.”
Inside the clubhouse, the team met privately Thursday to remember Adenhart, who made the major league opening day roster for the first time in his career after overcoming a devastating elbow injury and subsequent surgery in 2004.
“A lot of these guys in here have never lost anybody in their family that’s close to them. I hate that this happened, but this is part of life. This is the real deal,” outfielder Torii Hunter said. “That’s why you’ve got to kiss your kids, kiss your family every day when you get up in the morning and before you leave for work.”
Adenhart was killed hours after making his season debut with his father in the stands, throwing six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics. The Angels ultimately lost the game, 6-4.
“It is a tragedy that will never be forgotten,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
The rookie pitcher’s father spoke to the team during its meeting Thursday.
“He just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity, thank you for raising his kid in minor league ball on up through the system in the Angels’ organization,” Hunter said.
Adenhart died in surgery following the accident. Henry Pearson of Manhattan Beach, a 25-year-old passenger in the car, and the driver, 20-year-old Courtney Stewart of Diamond Bar, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Stewart was a student at nearby Cal State Fullerton, where she was a former cheerleader.
Another passenger, 24-year-old Jon Wilhite of Manhattan Beach, remained in critical but stable condition Friday and doctors believe he will survive, said John Murray, a spokesman for UC Irvine Medical Center. He was being medically sedated, Murray said. Wilhite played baseball from 2004-08 at Cal State Fullerton.
Stewart’s mother said Adenhart and the others had gone dancing at a club about a block away from the crash site.
At the ballpark Wednesday night, Adenhart made just his fourth major league start and left with a 4-0 lead, before the bullpen gave away what would have been his second big league win.
During Thursday’s closed-door session, “we were just kind of reminiscing about what Nick brought to the team, to the clubhouse,” Hunter said.
“He was a very funny kid and he’s going to be missed,” he said. “Every time you come to the stadium and you go in that clubhouse, you’re looking at Nick Adenhart’s locker.”
Adenhart had made a slow climb to reach the majors.
He hurt his pitching elbow two weeks before the June 2004 major league draft, when he was projected as a top-five pick out of Williamsport High in Maryland.
The setback dropped him to the 14th round, where the Angels selected him anyway. He had Tommy John surgery — a reconstructive operation on an elbow ligament — later that month and spent most of next four seasons in the minors.
Adenhart had a 9.00 ERA in three starts for the Angels last season, but Scioscia said last month the right-hander had worked hard over the winter and arrived at spring training with a purpose.
He was made the No. 3 starter as the season began this week because of injuries to John Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar, all of whom are on the disabled list.
___
AP Sports Writer Ken Peters in Anaheim, Calif., contributed to this report.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
New York Mets reliever Ambiorix Burgos turns himself in to authorities
Date: 10/7/2008 9:47 PM
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos turned himself in on Tuesday, a week after police say he was involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed two women.
Authorities were interviewing him, prosecutor Raul Quiroz told The Associated Press.
The news comes after the mother of one of the two victims accused Burgos of intentionally running her daughter over because she refused to go out with him.
Eudosia Ruane, mother of 29-year-old Angely Fana, told the AP she filed a report with police alleging homicide.
An arrest warrant had been issued for the 24-year-old reliever, who disappeared after the Sept. 30 accident that killed Fana and Josefina Minaya, 38. Burgos is accused of abandoning the victims and fleeing, charges that can carry six months to two years in prison.
Witnesses say Burgos was the driver, even though his cousin claimed to be behind the wheel, according to police.
Burgos also faces an unrelated charge of illegal weapon possession and had recently been released after posting a $3,000 bond.
He also has an Oct. 23 court hearing in the U.S. stemming from assault and harassment charges filed after he allegedly threw his girlfriend to the ground.
Burgos has not appeared in Major League Baseball since last year and spent the past season on the disabled list following elbow ligament replacement surgery. He pitched in the minors last month while on a rehabilitation assignment.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos turned himself in on Tuesday, a week after police say he was involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed two women.
Authorities were interviewing him, prosecutor Raul Quiroz told The Associated Press.
The news comes after the mother of one of the two victims accused Burgos of intentionally running her daughter over because she refused to go out with him.
Eudosia Ruane, mother of 29-year-old Angely Fana, told the AP she filed a report with police alleging homicide.
An arrest warrant had been issued for the 24-year-old reliever, who disappeared after the Sept. 30 accident that killed Fana and Josefina Minaya, 38. Burgos is accused of abandoning the victims and fleeing, charges that can carry six months to two years in prison.
Witnesses say Burgos was the driver, even though his cousin claimed to be behind the wheel, according to police.
Burgos also faces an unrelated charge of illegal weapon possession and had recently been released after posting a $3,000 bond.
He also has an Oct. 23 court hearing in the U.S. stemming from assault and harassment charges filed after he allegedly threw his girlfriend to the ground.
Burgos has not appeared in Major League Baseball since last year and spent the past season on the disabled list following elbow ligament replacement surgery. He pitched in the minors last month while on a rehabilitation assignment.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
DomRep issues warrant for NY Mets pitcher Burgos
Date: 10/3/2008 5:57 PM
By DIONISIO SOLDEVILA
Associated Press Writer
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) _ Authorities in the Dominican Republic issued an arrest warrant Friday for New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos after a crash involving his SUV that killed two women.
Burgos is accused of abandoning the victims and fleeing, charges that can carry six months to two years in prison, Prosecutor Raul Quiroz told The Associated Press.
“We recommend that Mr. Burgos turn himself in so we can start the judicial process,” Quiroz said.
The Hummer truck registered to the reliever struck pedestrians Josefina Minaya Martinez, 38, and Angely Fana, 29, on Tuesday in the town of Nagua, north of the Dominican capital, according to police. The victims later died at a hospital.
Police have said witnesses told them Burgos was the driver, even though his cousin Edwin Silvestre Sanchez claimed to be behind the wheel.
Sanchez was released from police custody Friday, but he still could face charges as a possible accomplice, Quiroz said.
Quiroz said Burgos was recently arrested on an unrelated charge of illegal weapon possession, and released after posting a US$3,000 bond.
Burgos also was arrested last month in New York on assault and harassment charges after allegedly throwing his girlfriend to the ground. He has appeared in court on those charges but did not enter a plea, according to prosecutors. He’s due in U.S. court again Oct. 23 and faces up to a year in jail if convicted of the more serious misdemeanor assault charge.
Burgos, 24, has not thrown in the major leagues since last year and spent the past season on the disabled list following elbow ligament replacement surgery. He pitched in the minors last month while on a rehabilitation assignment.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
By DIONISIO SOLDEVILA
Associated Press Writer
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) _ Authorities in the Dominican Republic issued an arrest warrant Friday for New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos after a crash involving his SUV that killed two women.
Burgos is accused of abandoning the victims and fleeing, charges that can carry six months to two years in prison, Prosecutor Raul Quiroz told The Associated Press.
“We recommend that Mr. Burgos turn himself in so we can start the judicial process,” Quiroz said.
The Hummer truck registered to the reliever struck pedestrians Josefina Minaya Martinez, 38, and Angely Fana, 29, on Tuesday in the town of Nagua, north of the Dominican capital, according to police. The victims later died at a hospital.
Police have said witnesses told them Burgos was the driver, even though his cousin Edwin Silvestre Sanchez claimed to be behind the wheel.
Sanchez was released from police custody Friday, but he still could face charges as a possible accomplice, Quiroz said.
Quiroz said Burgos was recently arrested on an unrelated charge of illegal weapon possession, and released after posting a US$3,000 bond.
Burgos also was arrested last month in New York on assault and harassment charges after allegedly throwing his girlfriend to the ground. He has appeared in court on those charges but did not enter a plea, according to prosecutors. He’s due in U.S. court again Oct. 23 and faces up to a year in jail if convicted of the more serious misdemeanor assault charge.
Burgos, 24, has not thrown in the major leagues since last year and spent the past season on the disabled list following elbow ligament replacement surgery. He pitched in the minors last month while on a rehabilitation assignment.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
Mets pitcher Burgos sought in fatal DR crash
Date: 10/1/2008 7:22 PM
By DIONISIO SOLDEVILA
Associated Press Writer
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) _ Police were searching for New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos in his native Dominican Republic on Wednesday after a crash involving his SUV that killed two women.
The Hummer truck registered to the 24-year-old reliever struck pedestrians Josefina Minaya Martinez, 38, and Angely Fana, 29, Tuesday evening in the town of Nagua north of the Dominican capital, Police Col. Eulogio Taveras said. They later died of their injuries at a hospital.
Based on witness reports, “the investigation indicates that Burgos was the driver of the (vehicle) that hit the women,” Taveras said in a statement.
But Taveras added that a relative of the right-hander, Edwin Silvestre Sanchez, claimed to be behind the wheel. He said police were trying to locate Burgos, who could not immediately be reached by The Associated Press.
Burgos was arrested last month in New York on assault and harassment charges after allegedly throwing his girlfriend to the ground. Police in the borough of Queens said the woman was treated at a hospital and released.
Burgos has appeared in court on those charges but did not enter a plea, according to prosecutors. He’s due in U.S. court again Oct. 23 and faces up to a year in jail if convicted of the more serious misdemeanor assault charge.
Burgos, who has not thrown in the major leagues since last year, spent the past season on the disabled list following elbow ligament replacement surgery. He pitched in the minors last month while on a rehabilitation assignment.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
By DIONISIO SOLDEVILA
Associated Press Writer
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) _ Police were searching for New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos in his native Dominican Republic on Wednesday after a crash involving his SUV that killed two women.
The Hummer truck registered to the 24-year-old reliever struck pedestrians Josefina Minaya Martinez, 38, and Angely Fana, 29, Tuesday evening in the town of Nagua north of the Dominican capital, Police Col. Eulogio Taveras said. They later died of their injuries at a hospital.
Based on witness reports, “the investigation indicates that Burgos was the driver of the (vehicle) that hit the women,” Taveras said in a statement.
But Taveras added that a relative of the right-hander, Edwin Silvestre Sanchez, claimed to be behind the wheel. He said police were trying to locate Burgos, who could not immediately be reached by The Associated Press.
Burgos was arrested last month in New York on assault and harassment charges after allegedly throwing his girlfriend to the ground. Police in the borough of Queens said the woman was treated at a hospital and released.
Burgos has appeared in court on those charges but did not enter a plea, according to prosecutors. He’s due in U.S. court again Oct. 23 and faces up to a year in jail if convicted of the more serious misdemeanor assault charge.
Burgos, who has not thrown in the major leagues since last year, spent the past season on the disabled list following elbow ligament replacement surgery. He pitched in the minors last month while on a rehabilitation assignment.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.