The Tampa Bay Rays pitcher accused in a DUI hit and run crash in Port Charlotte, Florida on Thursday afternoon will be held without bond until at least Saturday.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Matt Bush, 26, was driving a black Dodge Durango on US-41 near Town Center Mall around 5 p.m. when he struck the rear of a motorcycle driven by 72-year-old Tony Tufano, a personal friend of Krazy Biker Katz.
According to reports, Tony was thrown from his bike onto the pavement. They also state that Tony was then run over by the Durango and that witnesses said the driver of the SUV “had blatantly left the scene of the crash.”
Tony was taken by Charlotte County EMS to Peace River Regional Medical Center for a MedStar helicopter to transport him to Lee Memorial Hospital Trauma Center. We at Krazy Biker Katz pray for Tony and his family and hope you all will as well.
“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.
CCSO deputies, along with Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies and Florida Highway Patrol caught Bush in North Port on Toldeo Blade Boulevard and took him into custody.
According to reports, the arresting deputy said that he could clearly smell the odor of an alocoholic beverage coming from Bush. He continued to describe Bush as having bloodshot and watery eyes.
Also, Bush did not have a license on him when he was pulled over.
An FHP report says alcohol was a factor. In his breath test, deputies say Bush blew a 0.180 and 0.171.
He was transported to the Charlotte County Jail and charged with fleeing the scene with serious injuries, driving with a suspended license with serious injuries, DUI with serious injuries, and DUI with property damage.
While speaking with officials at the Charlotte County Jail, Bush said he had also hit a pole with the same SUV earlier in the day.
Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn issued this statement about the situation:
“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.”
FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT
At his first appearance Friday morning, Bush didn’t have an attorney.
The judge gave him 24 hours to find one and ordered him to appear in court again Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. with his lawyer.
Until then, Bush will be held without bond in the Charlotte County Jail.
A BATTLE WITH ALCOHOL
Bush was the first overall draft pick in the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. The San Diego Padres drafted him as a shortstop, and baseball experts say he’s never lived up to his potential – due in large part to serious alcohol problems.
His problems started shortly after being drafted, when he got into a fight outside a Peoria, Arizona nightclub.
In 2009 he was arrested for assaulting a high school lacrosse player while drunk. He was also arrested for drunk driving and resisting arrest in 2009.
He was trying to make the Rays roster as a middle reliever.
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