Sunday, August 27, 2006

Former Indians pick among crash victims

The Lexington Herald Leader is reporting that Jonathan Hooker, a former University of Kentucky pitcher and Cleveland Indians draft choice, was among the 49 confirmed dead in the crash of Comair flight 5191 which occured this morning at Bluegrass Airport in Lexington.

Both Hooker and his new bride, Scarlett, both reportedly died in the crash. The couple's wedding had taken place just hours before the accident.

“It’s just a very, very painful, tragic situation,” former UK baseball Coach Keith Madison told the Herald Leader.

Hooker was a 40th round draft choice by the Indians in 2000. It doesn't appear that he signed with Cleveland. But, he did have a brief, yet successful minor-league career in various leagues. If anyone has info on Hooker's career, please pass it along.

According to reports, Hooker was currently working as a substance abuse counselor but planned to take a new job in Lexington while his wife attended school.

Flight 5191, en route to Atlanta, crashed at 6:07 a.m. Sunday morning less than one mile from the airport killing 49 of 50 persons onboard.

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