California Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
On April 9, 2009, Andrew Gallo, who was on parole for a felony DUI conviction, ran a red light and T-boned a car carrying Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, and three friends, in a horrific California drunk driving collision.
Adenhart, as well as Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson, were killed in the collision. Another passenger, Jon Wilhite, sustained catastrophic injuries as a result of this impact.
According to ESPN.com, Mr. Gallo, who had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the California legal limit of .08%, had been drinking beer and shots at three different bars with his stepbrother before causing this collision. Mr. Gallo’s Criminal defense attorney requested one sentence of 15 years to life for her client, with the argument being that he did not intend to hurt anyone.
However, Judge Richard F. Toohey sentenced Gallo to 15 years to life on each of the three murder counts and six additional years for his other crimes, totaling 51 years to life in prison.
Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas added that his office had won 49 drunk driving homicide convictions since 2008. He warned that people use extra caution around the holidays, when drunk driving incidents typically increase, to prevent future California drunk driving accidents and arrests.
We know that the sentence issued to Mr. Gallo will not heal the grieving families, and our office wishes to express our utmost sympathies to the families of the victims of this avoidable drunk driving tragedy. Please drive safely this holiday season and do not drink and drive.