Law Students
Car Crash that Killed Angels Pitcher Also Claimed Law Student’s Life
Posted Apr 10, 2009 9:34 AM CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Prosecutors are meeting today to discuss whether to file murder charges against the driver of a minivan that crashed into a car early yesterday, killing Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart along with two others, including a law student.
Police Lt. Kevin Hamilton said the minivan driver, Andrew Gallo, had a blood alcohol level exceeding California’s limit of .08 percent, had a prior conviction for driving under the influence and was driving on a suspended license, USA Today reports.
Also killed were Courtney Frances Stewart, a student at Cal State Fullerton, and law student Henry Pearson, according to the Los Angeles Times. An acquaintance who posted his comments at Examiner.com said Pearson was a 2L at Western State University College of Law and hoped to become a sports agent.
Another passenger, former California State University-Fullerton infielder Jon Wilhite, was hospitalized in critical condition.
- How B of A’s GC Got Fired: Leave Now, and Leave Your BlackBerry Behind
- Schools Ranked by 'Super Lawyers' Produced
- Law Firm Price Wars Break Out as Some Try ‘Loss Leader’ Bids for Work
- Five Questions for Law Firms Abandoning Lockstep Compensation
- Judge Jails 2 Attorneys for Contempt in 4 Days
- Reed Smith Will Ask Nonequity Partners to Pony Up Possibly 15% of Pay
- Court Deputy Ordered to Apologize or Face Jail After Taking Lawyer's Paperwork
- Skadden Jumps on the Bonus Bandwagon
- ABA Executive Director Resigns
- Nasty Attitude to Co-Worker, Naughty Word in E-Mail Cost 2 Their Jobs
Should Supreme Court Justices Be Able to Review News Accounts Before Publication?
Comments
J.D.
Apr 10, 2009 9:53 AM CST
Here’s a collection of mugshots of this murderer. Also, there seems to be some speculation about his residency status…
http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/09/this-is-the-guy-who-caused-the-adenhart-crash/12
Flag this comment
B. McLeod
Apr 10, 2009 11:12 AM CST
It is really not appropriate in a legal sense to use the term “murderer” until the charge is made and sustained.
Flag this comment
Caitie
Apr 10, 2009 8:57 PM CST
I strongly believe the driver should be charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Flag this comment
K.
Apr 12, 2009 6:58 AM CST
“Some speculation about his residency status”? Come on, aren’t we above that?
This story has been widely reported in all major media, as well as in the sensational/trash/tabloid outlets like TMZ. I haven’t heard or seen any “speculation about residency status” anywhere other than here in J.D.‘s inflamatory post. Nor can I even find any “speculation about residency status” in the TMZ story that J.D. links to. (Granted, I have not been keeping up on what Lou Dobbs or Rush Limbaugh have had to say—maybe they’re speculating?)
Apparently J.D. refers to anonymous comments posted on TMZ.com, which lack both references and accountability.
I think it’s clear that the anonymous commenters on TMZ.com are uninformed. In California, one is not eligible for a driver’s license unless they have legal residency status.
The L.A. Times reports that Gallo’s “license had been taken away after a 2006 DUI conviction in Riverside County.” He had a driver’s license which got taken away; therefore, he is not illegal.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-angels11-2009apr11,0,7295106.story
Flag this comment
anon as I wanna be
Apr 12, 2009 12:23 PM CST
“Come on, aren’t we above that?”
You’re clearly not familiar with J.D.
Flag this comment
trinity law
Apr 12, 2009 12:41 PM CST
actually, illegal can also get driver’s licenses in CA. Thus, the fact that Gallo’s license was recoked is irrelevant to determine his legal status.
Flag this comment
K.
Apr 12, 2009 9:53 PM CST
To my dear fellow poster at #6 above,
Actually, not. Legal presence in the United States really is a requirement for a California Driver’s License.
If you don’t believe me, feel free to confirm it with DMV. “State law requires every applicant ... to show ... proof of legal presence within the United States.”
http://dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP
Best regards,
K.
P.S. I am being so cordial because your obvious fortitude, to post online in spite of your handicaps in the fields of spelling, grammar, and punctuation, has endeared you to me. Fight on, brave soldier!
Flag this comment
And
Apr 13, 2009 6:13 AM CST
Also worth pointing out that the alleged drunk driver in question is named Andrew Thomas Gallo. I wonder where J.D. thinks Mr. Andrew Thomas Gallo snuck into this country from—Canada, maybe?
Flag this comment
JR
Apr 13, 2009 10:05 AM CST
I think as a society we act too freely in allowing people who drink to drive. I think Mr. Gallo had a previous DUI conviction. I think automakers should fit cars with devices not allowing drunks to start the engine.
What a tragedy—three young people with their lives ahead of them taken way too soon. I hope the DA throws the book at this criminal.
P.S. Cool off on JD and his hallucinations regarding Gallo’s citizenship. JD still thinks President Obama not a U.S. citizen.
Flag this comment
Add a Comment
We welcome your comments, but please adhere to our comment policy.
Commenting has expired on this post.