From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Bill Bryan.
Cardinals relief pitcher Josh Hancock was killed early Sunday in an accident on Highway 40 (Interstate 64), just east of Compton Avenue, authorities said.
Hancock’s Ford Explorer slammed into the rear of a tow truck that was parked in the far left westbound lane shortly after 12:30 a.m. The tow truck driver, who was seated in the vehicle at the time, was unhurt.
He told police that his emergency lights were on, and that he honked his horn when he saw the Explorer approaching in his rear view mirror, but that the Explorer didn’t slow down or swerve to avoid the collision.
At the time of the accident, the tow truck driver was assisting a motorist from an earlier accident.
Hancock, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene. The medical examiner’s office said Sunday morning that an autopsy had been scheduled.
The Cardinals released a statement confirming Hancock’s death, and will make another statement at 3 p.m. at Busch Stadium.
Their home game game tonight against the Chicago Cubs has been called off and will be played later this season. A new date has not been set.