One-time Toronto Blue Jays pitcher charged with DWI after fleeing crash scene on foot (2025)

A former MLB pitcher and first-overall pick was arrested last week after allegedly fleeing from police and then attempting to run from the scene of a multi-vehicle crash before being chased down by bystanders.

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The San Diego Padres traded Matt Bush to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2009, but he was released before playing for the team.

Bush, who was the top pick in the 2004 draft, allegedly was driving his 2023 Lincoln Aviator in Arlington, Texas, at around 8:30 p.m. on Friday when a local police officer noticed he was driving erratically and tried to pull him over, records show.

According to reports, the former pitcher allegedly sped away and evaded police, prompting law enforcement to put out a “lookout” warning on the vehicle.

Arlington Police then received a report of a multi-vehicle accident at a nearby intersection and arrived on the scene to find the vehicle that had fled from minutes earlier.

Police said Bush ran a red light at the intersection in his SUV, hit a 2023 Chevy Silverado and then crashed into a 2010 GMC Yukon and a 2008 Toyota Corolla.

Bush then allegedly “fled from that crash on foot without identifying himself or exchanging any information,” but quickly was stopped by a group of bystanders who gave chase and held him until authorities arrived.

The 41-year-old driver of the Silverado and Bush, 38, were both taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to police. The other two drivers were not injured.

While at the hospital, Bush declined a field sobriety test and refused to speak about the crash.

Investigators then obtained a warrant for a blood sample.

Bush was medically cleared and booked into the Arlington City Jail.

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The former pitcher, who part of the Texas Rangers organization during last year’s World Series championship run, was charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, one count of accident involving injury, and one count of evading, records show. His bond was set at US$35,000.

After being drafted by the Padres, Bush struggled at shortstop before being converted into a pitcher. He had several alcohol-related incidents after he was drafted and moved to the Toronto and Tampa Bay organizations before a 2012 accident in Florida.

He was accused of DUI and leaving the scene of an accident that seriously injured a 72-year-old man.

Bush went to prison after pleading no contest, but was released in 2015 after serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence.

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