Matt Bush — the first overall pick in the 2004 MLB Draft — was arrested in Texas on Friday night … after cops say he caused an accident while intoxicated … and then tried to flee the scene.
According to the Arlington Police Dept., authorities initially attempted to pull over Bush and his 2023 Lincoln Aviator at around 8:25 PM after they say he was “driving erratically.”
However, police lost sight of him after they claim he sped away from them.
Just four minutes later, though, officers say Bush ran a red light and caused a huge wreck in an intersection. They claim he then got out of his ride and tried to run — but bystanders held him down until cops made their way to the scene.
Bush was at first transferred to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries … but during ensuing questioning at the medical facility, cops say the former pitcher showed signs of intoxication.
After cops claim the 38-year-old declined to speak to investigators and refused to perform sobriety tests … they arrested him and booked him on three separate charges — one count of DWI, one count of accident involving injury, and one count of evading.
This is not the first time Bush has been accused of DWI — cops noted in police records that he “had 2 prior convictions for the same or similar offense.”
Despite being picked by the Padres in ’04, Bush didn’t make his MLB debut until 2016 — when he was a member of the Texas Rangers.
In his career, he played six total seasons … logging 12 wins, 15 saves and a 3.75 ERA.