A young NBA fan suffered catastrophic head injuries after falling from a moving vehicle while celebrating a San Antonio Spurs playoff win.
Jose “Joey” Rodriguez, 17, is in critical condition and brain-dead following the incident, which took place during the celebrations after the Spurs’ Game 6 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, San Antonio Express News reported.
The teen was celebrating the win, which sent the Western Conference to a seventh deciding game, when he fell off the vehicle and hit his head, according to relatives.
Rodriguez was rushed to an ER before being transported to another local hospital due to the severity of his injuries.
Jose “Joey” Rodriguez, 17, is in critical condition and brain-dead after the accident. GoFundMe
Spurs fans celebrate a win while honking along SW Military Drive in San Antonio. San Antonio Express-News via Getty Images
He was sitting on the open passenger-side window of the vehicle when it hit a curb, causing him to fall and smack the pavement, his aunt, Yvonne Hudson, told the outlet.
“He left blood all over the street,” Hudson said.
Rodriguez’s friends rushed him to a nearby clinic, where he had no pulse for eight minutes and was transferred to a trauma center due to the severity of his head injuries.
The teenager is brain dead and is not expected to survive, a police source told the outlet.
A young fan was seriously injured Saturday night after celebrating San Antonio’s thrilling win over Oklahoma City in the NBA Western Conference finals. San Antonio Express-News via Getty Images
He asked his parents for permission to celebrate the Spurs’ win, but they were initially hesitant because of the “nonsense” happening among crazed fans, Hudson added.
After he assured his mom and dad that another parent would chaperone the celebration, they agreed to let him go. Instead, Rodriguez went with only his friends, the relative explained.
The hardworking teen was set to graduate from Frank Tejada Academy in San Antonio next year and worked at Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, according to his aunt.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, center, walks over to Spurs fans as he holds his MVP trophy after the win. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
A GoFundMe to support Rodriguez’s recovery and medical expenses described him as a “young man with a kind heart who has always been there for others.”
“Known for his positive attitude, willingness to help anyone in need, Joey has touched the lives of so many people,” the fundraiser added.
Relatives remain gathered around Rodriguez’s hospital bed over the weekend, where doctors are expected to disconnect him from life support.
The exact circumstances behind Thursday’s incident remain under investigation.
“The San Antonio Police Department extends our sympathy to the family, friends and loved ones affected by this tragic and preventable incident,” the SAPD said in a statement.
“This serves as an important reminder that public safety is a shared responsibility. We encourage everyone celebrating to follow traffic laws, stay inside of your vehicles and follow directions from the officers who are there to keep everyone safe,” the statement continued.
The Spurs defeated the Thunder on Saturday night to advance to the NBA Finals, where they will face the Knicks.