The deadly crash occurred at East Orangethorpe Avenue and South Lemon Street around 12:20 a.m., said Fullerton police Lt. Doug Cave.

According to police, Adenhart was a passenger in a Mitsubishi Eclipse going south on Lemon when it was broadsided by a van being driven eastbound on Orangethorpe by Andrew Gallo, 22, of Riverside.

The vehicles both spun through the intersection, striking a Honda that was facing northbound on Lemon, waiting to make a left turn. The 33-year-old driver of the Honda was not injured.

The 20-year-old driver of the Mitsubishi, Courtney Frances Stewart of Diamond Bar, and passenger Henry Nigel Pearson, 25, of Manhattan Beach, died at the scene of the wreck. Adenhart and another passenger, 24-year-old Jon Wilhite, were taken to UCI Medical Center. Adenhart died at the hospital.

Wilhite remained in critical condition in surgical intensive care at UCI, a spokesman said.

Hospital spokesman John Murray said Wilhite's relatives had not authorized any further release of information.

Wilhite finished his studies at Cal State Fullerton last year, and served as an intern in the sports information department. He was a catcher for the university's Baseball team and majored on communications with a concentration in entertainment studies, said university spokeswoman Paula Selleck.

Stewart, a sophomore and member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, also majored in communications, with an concentration in journalism. She was a cheerleader last year but did not go out for the squad this year, said Brian Quinn, director of Athletics for Cal State.

"She was such a beautiful girl inside and out," a tearful Nicole Megowan told ABC7. "She was always really, really positive," .

Pearson's parents told ABC7 that their son was a childhood friend of Wilhite, who also was from Manhattan Beach, and both shared a love of Baseball.

Pearson also played Baseball, but he realized he would never be good enough to be a professional so he wanted to be an agent and attended law school with that goal in mind, Channel 7 reported.

"He was pursuing that with a great deal of passion," father Nigel Pearson said.

The younger Pearson represented two professional athletes and was hoping to represent more, ABC7 reported.

Students had hoped to put together a vigil at the gym but, Selleck said, "everyone is grieving. It may have been too ambitious. I think they just need some time."

Gallo, who was treated at UCI for minor abrasions, was released from the hospital and taken to the Fullerton Police Department in the afternoon, where he would be booked, with bail set at $100,000, Fullerton police Lt. Craig Brower said

Gallo was expected to be booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol and hit-and-run, Fullerton police Lt. Kevin Hamilton said.

Prosecutors will decide if Gallo will face murder charges, Hamilton said. He was tentatively scheduled to appear in court Monday, pending a decision on charges by the District Attorney's Office.

Gallo, who was driving on a suspended license due to a 2005 driving under the influence conviction, fled the crash scene on foot but was caught 30 minutes later by Anaheim police at Orangethorpe and State College Boulevard, police said.

ABC7 reported that although his license was suspended, Gallo was allowed to drive back and forth to work and that may be the reason why the suspended license was not caught when he was ticketed twice in San Bernardino County. Once was in September 2006 for not wearing a seat belt and the other time was in January 2007.

Hamilton said investigators tested Gallo's blood-alcohol level, which was above the legal limit, although he declined to give the exact results.

"I do know that the preliminary (result) is over the legal limit," Hamilton said.

In a statement, Angels officials said the pitcher, who debuted last May in the Major Leagues, pitched "a masterful six innings" against Oakland Wednesday night.

Police said the friends had apparently gone to a Fullerton club called In Cahoots, 1401 S. Lemon St., although Hamilton said the direction they were headed when the crash occurred indicated they were going toward the club, not away from it.

A passenger who remained in the van driven by Gallo suffered minor injuries, police said.

Meanwhile dozens of people gathered at the intersection where the accident occurred.

Seven-year-old Adrian Reyes, holding a ticket from last night's game, told ABC7 that Adenhart "was good, great, awesome pitcher."

Both at the scene of the accident and at Angel Stadium, fans in mourning, many decked out in Angel red, brought flowers, Baseball caps, candles, baseballs, balloons and other Baseball memorabilia

Neil Saavedra said the pitcher's death was "just like a kick in the gut. It just hurts as a fan. It hurts as a father."

"Nick's family expresses sincere gratitude for all the help the Angels have provided," Adenhart's parents, Jim and Janet Adenhart said in a statement released by the Angels.

"He lived his dream and was blessed to be part of an organization comprised of such warm, caring, and compassionate people. The Angels were his extended family. Thanks to all of Nick's loyal supporters and fans throughout his career. He will always be in everyone's hearts forever."

Adenhart's agent, Scott Boras, said that Jim Adenhart had flown in from the family's home in Maryland, at the urging of his son who said that something special was going to happen at Wednesday's game.

This afternoon, Jim Adenhart met with members of the team who gathered at the stadium.

Angels General Manager Tony Reagins said the Angels family "has suffered a tremendous loss today."

"We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick's family, friends, loved ones and fans."

Angels players and coaches gathered this afternoon at the stadium, where some fans brought flowers and created a makeshift memorial. The team is expected to begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday.