Boy, 14, dies in varsity lacrosse accident
4/12/2007, 7:58 p.m. EDT
The Associated Press
SPENCERPORT, N.Y. (AP) — A 14-year-old lacrosse player died at a Rochester hospital Thursday after being hit in the head by a ball fired by a teammate during a pre-game, warm-up session.
Jeff Milano-Johnson, a high school freshman who plays varsity lacrosse in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford, was retrieving a ball in front of a goal Wednesday when he was accidentally struck in the back of the head just below his helmet, police said.
He was placed on life support in guarded condition at Strong Memorial Hospital before he died Thursday, The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.
In a written statement issued through the hospital, the family thanked the community for its support and announced plans to donate the teen’s organs.
“Doctors have told us that Jeff suffered unexpected and severe bleeding, although his skull was not fractured. This unusual response to his injury raises the question of whether there may have been an underlying abnormality that contributed to this tragedy,” the statement said.
The accident occurred before a high school game between Spencerport and Pittsford. The game was canceled.
Milano-Johnson’s 11 goals this season put him among the top 10 scorers in Section V lacrosse this spring. His brother, Doug, a senior, is also a member of the varsity team, which has a 2-2 record.
Scott Bryson, who coached Milano-Johnson from second grade through the start of sixth grade, said the brothers have loved lacrosse from an early age.
“Jeff was absolutely passionate about lacrosse. He was the kind of boy who always had a stick in his hands,” he said.