Former Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Bush has been arrested for allegedly fleeing Texas police and then trying to run from the scene of a multi-vehicle crash but being chased by bystanders.
Bush, 38, was behind the wheel of his 2023 Lincoln Aviator along Pioneer Parkway on Friday around 8:30 p.m. when an Arlington police officer noticed him driving erratically and tried to pull him over. show data.
However, the former right-handed pitcher sped away from and evaded police, prompting police to issue a “Be On the Lookout” report for the vehicle.
Arlington Police then received a report of a multi-vehicle crash at a nearby intersection and arrived on scene to find the same Lincoln Aviator that had fled from officers just minutes earlier.
Police said Bush ran a red light at the intersection, struck a 2023 Chevy Silverado and then crashed into a 2010 GMC Yukon and a 2008 Toyota Corolla.
The former pitcher then “fled from that crash on foot without identifying himself or exchanging any information,” but was stopped by a group of bystanders who chased him down and held him for authorities.
According to police, the 41-year-old driver of the Silverado and Bush were both taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The drivers of the Yukon and Corolla were not injured.
While at the hospital, police suspected Bush may have been intoxicated.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick refused a field sobriety test and refused to talk to investigators about the crash.
Investigators then obtained a warrant for a blood sample and sent it to a laboratory for analysis.
Bush was later medically cleared and booked into Arlington City Jail.
The former Texas Ranger pitcher was charged with one count of driving under the influence, one count of injury crash and one count of eluding. show data. His bond was set at $35,000.
A native of San Diego, Bush began his career as a shortstop and was considered one of the top prospects coming out of high school in 2004.
He was drafted No. 1 overall by the San Diego Padres in 2004, becoming the first shortstop drafted first overall out of high school since the Seattle Mariners selected Alex Rodriguez in 1993.
Struggling at shortstop, the Padres converted Bush to a right-handed relief pitcher – a position he held for the remainder of his Major League career.
While in San Diego, Bush had several alcohol-related incidents after being drafted and transferred to the Toronto and Tampa Bay organizations before a March 2012 accident in Florida’s Charlotte County.
He was charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident that seriously injured a 72-year-old man on a motorcycle.
Bush went to prison after pleading no contest, but was released in 2015 after serving a three-and-a-half year sentence.
Following his release, the Rangers signed him to a minor league deal in December 2015.
He played in 180 games for the Rangers and had a 12-7 record and a 3.34 ERA with the team.
From 2015 to 2022, the Rangers signed and released him four times Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Bush was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in August 2022 and played in 37 games during the 2022-2023 seasons.
However, the relief pitcher was released by the Brewers midway through the 2023 season but was re-signed by Texas in July 2023.
Bush never pitched in the major leagues again after the Rangers re-signed him, and the organization released him at the end of the season.
