Drunken Driver Gets Sentence of 51 Years for Killing Baseball Pitcher
In Tennessee and across the country, we have all heard or even witnessed tragic events happening to many people when drivers who are under the influence of alcohol decide to get behind the wheel. Some of us may have friends or family members that we lost because of it or even just a coworker. If you or someone you love has lost someone or been injured due to a driver under the influence of alcohol, you should speak with a Tennessee personal injury lawyer right away. They will hear your case and work with you to make sure you get the compensation you deserve for the pain and suffering that you have been caused.
In this case, Andrew Thomas Gallo had a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit when he sped through a red light and crashed into a car. The crash killed Los Angeles Angel pitcher Nick Adenhart who was just beginning his first full season in the major leagues. He had just pitched his fourth Major League Game hours before. The crash also killed Courtney Stewart a twenty year old student and former cheerleader and law student Henry Pearson, age twenty-five, who was working towards becoming a sports agent. Finally, Jon Wilhite, a former a former baseball player for the Cal State-Fullerton Titans was critically injured and now stable.
Gallo was being drunk while on probation and also was driving with a suspended license when his vehicle going about sixty-five miles per hour crashed into Adenhart’s vehicle at 12:23 a.m. on April 9, 2009. His license had been suspended due to a prior drunk driving conviction in 2006.
Two hours after the crash Gallo’s blood alcohol level was 0.9% which was well above the 0.8% legal limit, according to authorities. Gallo was sentenced on December 22, 2010, to 51 years to life in prison after a jury found in guilty in September of three felony counts of murder, felony drunk driving and two other felonies.
Unfortunately, tragic events like this happen too often because of the recklessness of drunk drivers, here in Tennessee and all over the United States. If you or someone you love has loss someone or been seriously injured due to a drunk driver, we strongly encourage you to contact one of our experienced and compassionate Tennessee personal injury attorneys. We care about you and your case and will work with you to see that you receive the compensation you are entitled to for what you have been through.Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
