Cardinal's Reliever Killed in Late Night Crash

The St. Louis Cardinals suffered the loss of a team member last night:

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Josh Hancock was killed early Sunday in an accident on Highway 40 (Interstate 64), just west 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 Exploer 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 Cardinals were expected to release a statement later today. Their home game game this evening with the Chicago Cubs has been postponed. A new game time has not been set.

Hancock was a key member of the bullpen that helped the Cardinals win the World Series last season.

There's no word yet on whether alcohol was involved.