Bush had second hit-and-run accident

April 10, 2012

foxsports

Tampa Bay Rays minor leaguer Matt Bush, the top overall pick in the 2004 draft, was involved in a total of three accidents, including a previously undisclosed second hit-and-run, shortly before his DUI crash that seriously injured a motorcyclist.

The right-handed pitcher told the arresting officers that he had first struck a pole on March 22, then at about 5 p.m. ET he plowed teammate Brandon Guyer's Dodge Durango into the back of a motorcycle ridden by 72-year-old Tony Tufano.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, which cited Venice, Fla., police records, Bush also struck a Jeep Cherokee hours earlier. The driver of the SUV said he was hit by a Durango that had backed up at a red light to make an illegal U-turn.

As he did after striking Tufano's motorcycle, Bush fled the scene, though the two passengers in the Cherokee were not hurt.

The 26-year-old still is being held in Charlotte County jail on seven charges over the alleged DUI hit-and-run on Tufano. Police said his blood-alcohol limit was .18 at the time, more than twice the legal limit.

Tufano, who reportedly plans to file a lawsuit against Bush and Guyer for $5 million each, was moved out of intensive care and could be released from the hospital soon, according to his daughter-in-law.

Bush, who is being held on a $1 million bond, has been placed on the restricted list by the Rays. His arraignment is scheduled for May 21.

The San Diego native was drafted as a shortstop by the Padres in 2004, but his career was derailed by reported alcohol issues. He was trying to make it to the majors as a pitcher, playing in the Rays' minor league system the past two years.

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