The young San Antonio Spurs fan who suffered catastrophic head injuries falling from a moving vehicle during a playoff win celebration has died, his family revealed in a heartbreaking update.
Jose Luis Rodriguez III, 17, had been “fighting for his life” at a Texas hospital since being declared brain dead following last Thursday’s tragic accident.
“He was ready to go out there into the world and make something of himself,” his aunt, Victoria Lopez, told KSAT on Tuesday as she described the family’s heartbreaking decision to take the teenager off life support.
“It’s just a terrible tragedy,” she added.
Rodriguez had been hanging out of a vehicle during a so-called “honking celebration” on San Antonio’s South Side on Thursday night following the Spurs’ series-tying victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He fell off and landed on his head, leaving “blood all over the street,” according to another aunt, Yvonne Hudson.
The high school junior was rushed to a nearby hospital before being taken to a specialist clinic due to the traumatic nature of his brain injuries.
His family had been “praying for a miracle,” and saw a glimmer of hope after witnessing Rodriguez move his knees and thumbs in response to their voices, uncle Moses Rodriguez told News4SA.
“Under the circumstances, I know he would want us to be religious, and he would want us to keep our faith,” the uncle added.
“The Spurs meant everything to him. As soon as the Spurs won, he was like, ‘Go Spurs, Go!’” Rodriguez said.
The Spurs will face the New York Knicks tonight at 8:30 p.m. in game one of the NBA Finals.
