Leyritz charged in fatal crash

Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz was arrested Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on suspicion of driving under the influence and killing a driver after his car crashed into hers.

Leyritz was charged with DUI manslaughter and DUI property damage, police spokeswoman Kathy Collins said. He posted the $11,000 bond and was released from Broward County jail.

Police believe alcohol was involved in the crash, though investigators are awaiting results of blood alcohol tests, Collins said.

Leyritz played for six major league teams, including the Dodgers and Angels, starred in the 1996 World Series for the New York Yankees and last played in the majors in 2000.

Leyritz, who lives in Davie, Fla., turned 44 Thursday.

It could not be determined if he had a lawyer. A telephone message left on an answering machine at the home address he gave police was not immediately returned.

Fort Lauderdale authorities got a call at 3:20 a.m. that a crash occurred in the city’s entertainment district, Collins said.

She said Leyritz was driving a 2006 Ford Expedition when he collided at an intersection with 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch of Plantation, who was driving a 2000 Mitsubishi Montero.

Veitch was ejected from the car, police said. She died at Broward General Medical Center, Collins said.

Witnesses told police Leyritz ran a red light. Officers on the scene observed Leyritz to have red, watery eyes, a flushed face and an odor of alcohol, police said.

In 1996, Leyritz hit a home run for the Yankees in Game 4 of the World Series against Atlanta.

The homer made it 6-6, and the Yankees went on to win in 10 innings. New York took the Series in six games for its first title in 18 years.

Leyritz was mostly a catcher during his 11 seasons, hitting .264 with 90 homers.

He also played for the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres.

WINTER SPORTS

Karbon wins giant slalom; Stiegler injured

Denise Karbon of Italy won her third straight giant slalom in a World Cup race at Lienz, Austria, in which Julia Mancuso of the United States finished second and teammate Resi Stiegler crashed and broke her arm and shin.

Stiegler, the U.S. giant slalom national champion, was hospitalized with a broken left forearm and right shinbone, torn ligaments in the right knee and a bruised face and hip after her spill halfway down the course. She will undergo surgery in the U.S. and will be sidelined two months, the hospital said.

Karbon led after the first leg and was fastest in the final run to finish in 2 minutes 2.73 seconds. Mancuso was 1.28 seconds behind, moving from fourth after the opening leg. Nicole Gius of Italy was third, 1.62 seconds behind Karbon.

Austria’s Nicole Hosp, the defending discipline and overall World Cup champion, was 16th.

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Austrian skier Hans Grugger will miss the rest of the World Cup season after surgery on his left knee. Grugger has won four World Cup races.

MISCELLANY

Harrick to step down as coach of the Jam

Former UCLA coach Jim Harrick said he will resign as coach of the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, citing personal reasons. He did not elaborate on the reasons for his departure.

Harrick will step down after the Jam’s game against the Los Angeles D-Fenders today. Assistant coach Sean Rooks will step in as the interim head coach.

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The former agent for disgraced sprinter Marion Jones has been suspended by USA Track & Field for two years.

The penalty dates to March 22, when Charles Wells pleaded guilty to bank fraud in a money-laundering case.