A week after a fatal hit, a soccer referee who was struck by an angry player during a match died Saturday night.
Ricardo Portillo, 46, refereed a game held at Eisenhower Junior High School April 27. During the game, he penalized one 17-year-old player with a yellow card and police say the teen then hit the ref in the head.
Desert News reports:
Portillo’s injuries were first considered minor, but swelling eventually led to a coma and he had been in critical condition during the week. As of Thursday, Portillo still had bleeding around blood vessels around part of his brain, and edema and blood loss in another.
According to a news release from the Unified Police Department, Portillo died Saturday at 9:33 PM.
While police have not released his name, the 17-year-old has since been booked into the juvenile detention center.
The teen is expected to be formally charged by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office early next week, and may face additional charges in light of Portillo’s death.
So tragic! Our prayers and condolences are with the loved ones of Portillo.
SOURCE: Desert News
