OT: Sad baseball story

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Posted By: Chris Counts

I followed the game last night and kid pitched great. What a tragedy. Here's the story ...

By Mike DiGiovanna and Ruben Vives
8:33 AM PDT, April 9, 2009
Angels' pitcher Nick Adenhart was among the three killed in a crash in Fullerton when a driver ran a red light, an associate of the rookie player said this morning. The crash occurred only hours after the 22-year-old appeared in Wednesday night's Angels game.

The accident occurred shortly after midnight at the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and Lemon Street in Fullerton, said Lt. Craig Brower of the Fullerton Police Department.

Several witnesses told police the driver of a red minivan ran a red light at the intersection, hitting a silver Mitsubishi carrying four passengers. Two people in the Mitsubishi were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, authorities said. Two others also in the Mitsubishi were taken to a nearby hospital, where one was later pronounced dead, Brower said.

The driver of the minivan fled on foot, but police found him about a mile away and took him into custody on suspicion of hit-and-run, Brower said. Further charges are pending as the investigation continues, he said.

A passenger in the minivan was taken to Western Medical Center, authorities said. The condition of that person was unknown. A third vehicle also was struck, but there were no reports that anyone inside was hurt. Authorities said the intersection will be closed at least until noon as the investigation continues.