LA Coroner Probing Football Player's Death in Long Beach

The Coroner's Office today said it has opened an investigation into the death of a 16-year-old running back who collapsed and stopped breathing during a Thursday football game, dying a few days later in Long Beach.

Coroner's Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said her office has yet to take possession of the remains of Dodi Soza, who died this weekend at Long Beach Memorial Hospital.

Federal privacy laws prohibit the release of the time or cause of death, said hospital spokeswoman Rochele Steele.

Soza collapsed and stopped breathing on the field around 3:24 p.m. on Thursday, fire officials said.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Paramedics arrived within five minutes and transported him to St. Francis Medical Center. He was later taken to Long Beach Memorial to be examined by a brain injury specialist.