Matt Bush was once the No. 1 pick in the amateur draft. Not "a" No. 1 pick, but the No. 1 overall choice, in 2004, by the San Diego Padres, as a shortstop.
Rays’ Matt Bush Arrested For DUI After Accident
The former No. 1 overall draft choice was involved in a car accident Thursday near the Rays’ spring training camp.
Bush had to reinvent himself as a pitcher after not hitting well in the San Diego organization, and also having some well-publicized troubles with alcohol.
Bush, now in the Rays organization, was arrested and faces several charges after hitting a motorcyclist in Port Charlotte, Florida on Thursday:
FHP says a Dodge SUV driven by 26-year-old Rays pitcher Matt Bush was traveling south in a black Dodge Durango on US-41 near Town Center Mall when he struck the rear of a motorcycle driven by 72-year-old Anthony Tufano.
According to reports, Tufano was thrown from his bike onto the pavement. They also state that Tufano was then run over by the Durango and that witnesses said the driver of the SUV “had blatantly left the scene of the crash.”
“Literally the tire on the SUV ran over the driver’s head. Without the helmet, the gentleman would have been dead instantly,” said witness Scott Sugden.Bush faces charges of “fleeing the scene with serious injuries, driving with a suspended license with serious injuries, DUI with serious injuries, and DUI with property damage.”. The Rays issued a statement about Bush’s arrest:
"The Tampa Bay Rays organization is deeply saddened by today's tragic news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and his family. We will reserve further comment until we learn more about the incident that took place."
Bush had recently been optioned to Triple-A Durham, but it doesn’t seem as if he’ll be pitching again any time soon. He has a court date on Friday.
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