(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-29 11:24

MIAMI - Former New York Yankees player Jim Leyritz was arrested on charges of drink driving and manslaughter on Friday after a woman died in a Florida car crash.

Fort Lauderdale Police Department said a preliminary investigation found that at around 0320 on Friday, Leyritz had failed to obey a red light at an intersection and collided with another vehicle.

The police said the driver of the vehicle, Fredia Ann Veitch, 30, of Plantation, Florida, died as a result of injuries sustained after being ejected from her car in the crash.

Leyritz, who was 44 on Thursday, had initially refused to give a blood sample but after Veitch was reported dead, he was subjected to a test.

The former catcher and infielder played for the Yankees between 1990 and 1996 and then again from 1999-2000 after having spells with the Anaheim Angels, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres.

Leyritz finished his career in 2000 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and later worked as a radio pundit.