We now know Nick Adenhart’s killer: Andrew Thomas Gallo.
Gallo is the man who was driving the minivan last night that ran a red light and caused Adenhart to crash his vehicle - which caused the Angels pitcher’s death.
Gallo fled the scene on foot but was quickly captured by Anaheim police.
He has since been charged with, you guessed it, driving under the influence of alcohol. And this isn’t the first time he’s been popped for DUI. Among other things.
From the RIVERSIDE P-E:
Gallo ran away from the scene and was arrested a half-hour later by Anaheim police, stated a Fullerton Police Department news release. He is being treated at UCI Medical Center for injuries and arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving, felony hit and run and vehicular manslaughter, the release stated.
Gallo’s license remained suspended from a prior drunken driving conviction, said spokeswoman Sylvia Palmer Murdick.
In San Bernardino County, a man with the same name, Andrew Thomas Gallo, and same age, 22 pleaded guilty to a driving under the influence charge in May of 2006, court records show.
He was placed on three years’ probation and ordered to attend a county-approved first-offender alcohol program, and pay fines of about $1,400.
The same 22-year-old Andrew Thomas Gallo also plead guilty to possessing less than one ounce of marijuana in 2007 and entered a guilty plea to failure to wear a seat belt in 2006 court records show.
The marijuana charge came during the probationary period for the driving under the influence case. After Gallo’s guilty plea he was ordered to continue in the county-approved alcohol program, court records show.
Because of the prior conviction, authorities can pursue second-degree murder charges against Gallo. But that decision is made by the Orange County district attorneys office. Spokeswoman Farrah Emami said once the case is presented to the office they will determine which if any charges are appropriate.
Yeah, Gallo is screwed, as he should be. But on the bright side, I’m sure he’ll soon be getting a visit from Mark Geragos.
As bad as we all feel for Adenhart and his family today, thank god we know unequivocally the man responsible for his death - which may mitigate their suffering.
Or maybe not.
The thing that most goes through my mind is that we attach so much of Adenhart’s identity to MLB and the Angels. When I write about the poor guy, I don’t even want to bring up baseball. It’s so meaningless in this case. Just a senseless loss.
But because his death is getting so much publicity, maybe that’ll prevent one more dumbass from driving drunk this weekend - and killing someone.
9:41 pm on April 9th, 2009
Let's not forget the other 2 that died in this horrific accident.
11:00 pm on April 9th, 2009
Hopefully,this Gallo guy will get his justice.A loser that has done nothing good in his life.If hes able to meet bail awaiting his trial,lets keep an eye on his wereabouts,law enforcement,cause you know where he will be headed!
11:49 pm on April 9th, 2009
Yeah, so many reports are saying that this guy "killed Adenhart" when it should read that he killed THREE people! It shouldn't be significant for just the baseball player.
11:56 pm on April 9th, 2009
It's incredible how these people are continuously allowed back into society without serious rehabilitation or major jail time. A friend of mine was hit and killed by a drunk driver while walking home one night, and the guy driving had 3 prior DUI arrests. This happens a lot more than we think. It's sad, yet sometimes all we do is slap these wastes of space on the wrist.http://www.wsoctv.com/news/13692141/detail.html
12:24 am on April 10th, 2009
Why is this a$$hole out in public? He should have been behind bars so as not to harm anyone else.
1:01 am on April 10th, 2009
Because there`s so many loopholes and we`re so lenient with first time offenders.
1:03 am on April 10th, 2009
Until the people of this country begin to take drunk driving seriously this will continue to happen. Working in law enforcement, I constantly see lives ruined by the stupid act of drunk driving. Because these people are "addicts" they are given a slap on the wrist and "treatment" until they kill somebody and serious charges can be slapped on them. All of you who make excuses for these a holes just remember-next time it may be your son or daughter! We need serious punishment for D.U.I.!
7:45 am on April 10th, 2009
It is always so sad when a young person dies, especially someone who had such a promising life in front of him! My brother was killed when he was 18. My thoughts go out to all of the victims of this terrible tragedy!
2:23 pm on April 10th, 2009
more proof that people do not care and STILL do not take drunk driving seriously.
this gallo never learned from his previous run ins with the law. he never cared about anyone but himself.
thats why the coward ran after what he did. people were killed/dieing, he didnt even call 911.
WHAT A FU**ING COWARD!
8:06 pm on April 10th, 2009
instead of treating the ass at a hospital-can u believe-they should have an eye for an eye law-and drag his fat ass behind a car-hope some viligenti justice gets going
12:48 am on April 11th, 2009
We have to remember Gallo killed three people. Killed three people, killed three people, killed three people!!!! How many times, how often do we have to hear these types of statistics to make a difference. The family of all three of these young people, including the one who is in hospital, are entitled to get some answers as to why Gallo was able to do what he did. The numbers seem to be increasing, not a day goes by and you can read about a hit and run in the paper or hear it on the TV. People need to be made responsible as most are not "just" accidents as alcohol is usually the culprit. Second degree manslaughter? The guy took a car on the street while drunk, it may just as well have been a loaded gun!
2:24 am on April 11th, 2009
Gallo is such a piece of s**t he left behind his wounded passenger in his van when he fled the scene. To sum it up, this degenerate murdered three people and left 2 for dead. Why on earth would he have a set bail amount. This just tells us how screwed up the justice system can be. With his priors and his obvious disregard for life, I believe he should be held "without bail." Dang this makes me mad.
3:46 pm on April 15th, 2009
People know that drinking and driving is dangerous, so anyone who does it should be prosecuted and penalized accordingly. In California, when applying for a drivers license you now must sign a statement that you are aware that drinking and driving is dangerous and if you kill someone while driving drunk, you realize you may be charged with murder. That's fairly new (July 2008, The Ambriz Act) and maybe it will make a few people think twice about driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.