Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cardinals’ Hancock dies in crash


St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock died early Sunday.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals are mourning a teammate for the second time in five years, and it isn’t any easier this time.

Josh Hancock, a relief pitcher who helped the team win the World Series last season, died early Sunday when his sport utility vehicle slammed into the back of a tow truck, bringing back painful memories of Darryl Kile’s death in June 2002.

“There’s a big hole that’s going to be there,” St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. “This is brutal to go through.”

The Cardinals postponed their home game Sunday night against the Chicago Cubs. La Russa informed Hancock’s family of the accident early Sunday.

“What words can you give somebody in a situation like this?” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.

Police said the 29-year-old Hancock was alone in his 2007 Ford Explorer when the SUV struck the rear of a flatbed tow truck at 12:35 a.m. The tow truck was in the left lane with its lights flashing while assisting another car that had crashed, Police Chief Joe Mokwa said.

Hancock died upon impact, Mokwa said. The driver of the tow truck, whose name was not released by police, was in the truck at the time of the crash but was not injured. Mokwa said the truck driver saw Hancock’s SUV swerve just before it hit the tow truck.

Mokwa said it appeared Hancock was driving at or just above the speed limit, and there were no alcohol containers in his vehicle.