Thu. Dec 12th, 2024
Used with permission from Flickr

On April 9, 2009, just after midnight, Nick Adenhart, Jon Wilhite, Courtney Stewart, and Henry Pearson were involved in a DUI traffic collision that cost Nick, Courtney, and Henry their lives and seriously injured Jon, who suffered internal decapitation but survived.

The collision occurred in the intersection of Lemon St and Orangehtope Ave., just hours after Adenhart, a Pitcher for the Angels, had made his season debut with the team. Their vehicle was broadsided by a DUI driver who then fled the scene of the collision.

The DUI driver, Andrew Gallo, a construction worker who had a previous DUI conviction, was sentenced to 51 years to life in prison for his involvement in the collision.

In honor of Nick, Courtney, and Henry, the Fullerton Police Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint tonight, April 11. These collisions are a stark reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.

The goal of a DUI checkpoint is to prevent, deter, and educate the public on the dangers of drinking and driving. Impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

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Art Pedroza Editor
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

By Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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