Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Driver in Adenhart death receives 51 years to life

Andrew Gallo, a construction worker who ran a red light while intoxicated and killed Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two other people has been sentenced to 51 years to life in prison.

Gallo was sentenced Wednesday following a hearing in Santa Ana at which he apologized to the victims' family and friends.

Gallo was convicted in September of three counts of second-degree murder and single counts of drunken driving, hit-and-run driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol and causing great bodily injury. He is 24 years old. At the time of the accident, Gallo was on probation for felony drunken driving.

Authorities say Gallo's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

Prosecutors said Gallo drank beer and shots at three different bars with his stepbrother before driving off in a minivan. Gallo’s attorney requested 15 years to life on the basis that Gallo did not intend to injure anyone.

Attorney Jacqueline Goodman said in court papers that Gallo’s stepbrother was supposed to be the designated driver that night, but that Gallo took the wheel when his stepbrother became too drunk to drive.

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