A thrilling basketball championship in San Antonio took a tragic turn over the weekend with the news that a young fan lost his life due to a head injury sustained after falling from a moving vehicle while celebrating his team’s victory.
The San Antonio Spurs secured a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday and followed it up with another victory on Saturday, which sealed their Western Conference championship after a seven-game series.
However, one excited fan, 17-year-old Jose “Joey” Rodriguez, is currently in critical condition and was reported brain-dead by his family and local authorities following the accident on Thursday. Sadly, he is not expected to survive.
His aunt, Yvonne Hudson, shared that Joey was perched in the passenger window of the vehicle when it hit the curb, causing him to fall and strike his head on the concrete.
“He left blood all over the street,” she recounted.
Rodriguez was initially taken to an emergency room, but due to the extent of his injuries, he was subsequently transferred to another hospital.
Scheduled to graduate next year from Frank Tejeda Academy and working at Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, Joey is described by his family as having a “kind heart” and a “willingness to help others.”
Ironically, the family had concerns about his safety during the celebration prior to the accident.
According to a preliminary police report, the incident occurred in the 300 block of West Dixon Avenue, just north of Southwest Military Drive. Authorities had rerouted traffic to accommodate the busy celebration.
Hudson mentioned that when Joey first asked to celebrate the Spurs’ victory, his parents declined, worried about the chaos. However, he assured them that his parents would accompany him, leading to their eventual agreement. Hudson revealed that Joey ended up going with friends instead.
The details surrounding Thursday’s incident are still being assessed.
In a statement, the San Antonio Police Department expressed condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragic occurrence, emphasizing the shared responsibility of public safety during celebrations.
The Spurs are set to face the New York Knicks in the upcoming NBA Finals, having been seen as underdogs at the start of the season. They will continue that trend in the upcoming series against the Knicks.
It remains unclear what the future holds for Joey in the coming days. His aunt has indicated that doctors are considering withdrawing life support.
