A high school baseball player in Gainesville, Georgia, was declared brain dead two weeks after being struck in the head in a batting cage accident.
Gainesville High School senior Jeremy Medina, an 18-year-old pitcher and catcher, was initially left comatose on Nov. 20, when he was struck in the head by a teammate’s bat.
“Players were hitting balls from the tee in one of the two netted areas. … Jeremy approached the netting as another player was hitting from the tee. As the player followed through on his swing, Jeremy leaned into the net and was struck in the head,” Gainesville High Principal Jamie Green explained at a news conference Nov. 29, according to WDUN radio.
On Sunday, 13 days after the accident, doctors declared him brain dead, with his family making the prognosis public Wednesday, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“The initial trauma to his head was significant and caused him to lose consciousness, and as he lost consciousness he lost his ability to maintain his airway,” Dr. Michael Cormican, Northeast Georgia Medical Center director of surgical critical care, told WAGA-TV, Atlanta’s Fox affiliate.
AfterJeremy’s death, his organs will be donated according to his wishes.
“Although his life ended so young, Jeremy’s legacy will continue through his selfless decision to give the gift of life,” said Frank Medina, Jeremy’s uncle, according to the Journal-Constitution.
On Wednesday, the Gainesville City School System posted on X: “The life of Jeremy Medina will forever impact the lives of our entire community. His passing will mean renewed life for many others as an organ donor. Please continue to pray for the Medina family.”
His family said an “honor walk” and celebration of Jeremy will be held in the coming days, according to WSB-TV, Atlanta’s ABC affiliate.
