Jim Leyritz Knew His DUI Victim
Former Yankee Jim Leyritz (44) knew the woman he killed, and her name was Fredia Ann Veitch (30) (pictured above). Click the link below to read the sad story of Jim’s night that led to the accident which ended the life of Fredia, a mother of two.
Friends of the baseball star told PageSix exclusively, that Leyritz knew Fredia Ann Veitch the 30-year-old mother of two, who died early this morning when he allegedly ran a red light and collided with her vehicle.
“One of Jim’s best friends is friends with Fredia,” a source close to Leyritz told PageSix. “Jim knew who she was–that’s what makes this even worse.”
Veitch worked as a bartender in a local sports bar. She had left the Original Steakhouse and Sports Theatre in Fort Lauderdale earlier that evening.
Erica Chevillar, another close friend of Leyritz, revealed what happened last night at Automatic Slims, the Ft. Lauderdale night club.
Jim Leyritz enjoyed his 44th birthday in style, sipping Grey Goose and tonics, laughing and cracking jokes with his best friends behind the velvet ropes.
“We were all out celebrating, it was his birthday,” Chevillar, 26, said. “The place was packed and we had a table, about ten of us, and we were just hanging out. It wasn’t a crazy night or anything, that’s what’s so strange.”
“When I left, he didn’t seem drunk at all actually. The table had a bottle of vodka, I think he was drinking vodka tonics—but he wasn’t drinking enough for me to even notice,” she said. “He was smiling and laughing all night, we were all having fun. He’s always smiling. You can see him smiling throughout the room wherever we go.”
“People always recognize him and come up to him when we’re out. And he’s always so nice to everyone and that’s how it was last night.”
When Chevillar left the club at about 2 a.m., Leyritz stayed with others in the group. “Most of us had work in the morning, so I said to him, “Happy birthday, I’ll see you later,” and he just smiled and said, “Alright. See ya.”
“He’s such a family guy. It’s devastating. Just devastating. I can’t believe it.”
Coworker Megan Ford described Veitch as a beloved bartender and friend. "Everyone here is really sad,” she said. “We’re short staffed because some servers were too upset to come in to work. She was really nice and had a lot of friends.”
Fredia Veitch’s smashed car (below). The damage may not look like much, but Fredia was ejected from the vehicle. She might not have been wearing a seat belt. Wear your seat belt, and don’t drink and drive.
Jim had no prior DUIs. He was sentenced as a 1st offense DUI. Didn’t anyone watch the trial?
Her husband was texting her to get her to come home, but she was on her way to her boyfriend’s house.
Nothing came out during the trial when they read his driving record that indicated Jim had any previous DUIs. Fredia wrote in her diary she needed to stop drinking and driving.
This is a very sad accident ! Accident ……. I can understand needing to blame someone but the truth is they were both wrong . She may have lived had she been wearing her seatbelt . She was beautiful and funloving , so is he …….its sad god bless her family. Give her sons healing . I believe in her soul/spirit she has forgiven him so should all of us . He was a partier but he wasn’t a murderer let’s spread love not hate
I am sad. Very very sad. Rest in peace freddie…I love u always and forever and u have changed me and my life more than u will ever know. U were an angel sent to make people on this earth be better people. We all know the truth. The only reason I am sad is that he had two prior dui arrests that were not acknowledged. I truly hope he has learned this time. U have made all of us realize one valuable lesson which is not 2 drink and drive bc u do not know how and who u hurt when you pass away….u only touched my heart for 3 years..and your beauty and class has changed my entire perspective on life…..among many. Rest in peace my love. U will never be forgotten. Ever.
Men wearing boots during sobriety tests helps stablize their ankles therefore giving them an advantage on a sobriety test. Freddie did not hit jim….jim hit freddie…jim ran the red light…freddie did not. Jim has 2 prior duis…..and now this is his 3rd…has he learned not 2 drink and drive? No…jimmy…just admit your mistake and be a man….I wouldn’t care if he spent not one single day behind bars…I just want him 2 admit he messed up and he is sorry….jim u really make yourself look like such a lowlife scum bag flippiing off the photographers in the courtroom….low class citizen you are….
jim was impaired maybe not falling down drunk … he had his head down , going thru a yellow light and HE hit her! He was guilty when he refused the BAC test … they shoulda forced him right then and there when their was a death on the scene. You dont call your attorney (prolly from burger king) then stall having blood taken if your not guilty! jim do your time bud put down the booze … you ruined alot of peoples lives … Why do people blame the victim .. shes gone … she paid the price !
Jill, Bruce was 19 at the time, he had to catch a flight in the morning to Pennsylvania, and Jim (who was a friend of a friend) was dropping Bruce off at his aunt and uncle’s house. They both initially thought that the accident was relatively minor, so Bruce called his brother to come pick him up so he wouldn’t miss his flight. Freida Veitch was no angel; she had drunk driving violations herself (one only 6 months before the accident), her blood alcohol level was higher than Jim’s, and she was texting while driving. Don’t drink and drive, don’t text and drive, and always wear a seatbelt.
And to my recollection from the depos I read…bruce barger was 20 yrs old when the accident occured. Jim drove a block away from the accident…went into the burger king parking lot and told bruce to get out of there…how is it ok for a passenger in one of the cars of a fatal accident to flee the scene? U just got into a huge accident…u had 2 have gotten out and seen the damage done 2 his car…so why would u not want to make sure the other person was ok? What kind of a human being are u?? And what is a 40 something yr old man doing hanging out with a 20 yr old UNDERAGE KID…at 330am?
And by the way…it has been proven as well that jim had been drinking 4 times after this accident occured…if u killed somebody drinking and driving…would u touch alcohol ever again???!! Are u kidding me? That’s not learning a lesson. He was also out at a bon jovi concert 3 weeks later…laughing smiling and having quite the wonderful time….can u really say u would be doing any partying 3 weeks later? It took all my might not to spit in his face. Accidents are accidents. I agree. But he has clearly not learned a lesson from this accident.
Funny david…all depositions are public record. Bruce barger came forward 3 days later and swore under oath that he hit him on his arm saying red light red light. If jim was driving and looking straight forward…why would bruce have 2 grab his arm to get him 2 pay attention? Also in his deposition he said jim was looking down at the radio changing the station or doing something….it was probably that vitamin water bottle he was putting back into the cup holder huh? No one runs an old red light…u run yellow lights that are turning red…which is the reason he never stepped on the brakes…bc he did not proceed with caution which is the law. Get your facts straight. And it has been proven that she would have died regardless of whether her seatbelt was on or not due 2 the blunt force head trauma she experienced from the impact.
Dont forget while everyone is busy feeling sorry for this woman that her blood alcohol level was higher than his, she was texting while driving (drunk) and it was almost certainly her that ran the red light AND she wasnt wearing a seatbelt. She wasnt an angel, she was a bartender who got drunk at the bar and was driving down the road texting without a seatbelt on.
How come all these celebrities can’t afford drivers? Lohan etc all make buckets of money and still feel the need to get behind the wheel. I make less than $90K a year and still can afford a cab when I am drinking….
She was a friend of mine and all I can say is God must have needed to replace an assistant up there cause she was truely a blessing while on this earth she was doing such a good job here he must have wanted her there, thats all I can say to explain her being gone :o(
Even during his career, Jim drank quite a bit. I guess he was a good guy. I know he was a pretty good player, good bat, mediocre defensively, and he was a hero for a night in the Bronx with his game-winning World Series home run. You screwed up, Jimmy.
Sorry to hear about this, great loss.
Seat belts save lives.
Driving under the influence takes them.
Been doing contract work in Fort Lauderdale/Broward County area since early 2008. Could not believe the number of cars that run red lights. It is like common practice down there. Definitely different driving style than other places I have been. You put your life on the line at every intersection down there.
Maybe just alcohol related, but South Florida Driving Style could have played a part in it.
Everyone just needs to slow down and stop driving under the influence.