Football Player Who Collasped at Lynwood High Game Dies

The 16-year-old Downey High School running back who collapsed during a football game at Lynwood High School has died, a hospital spokeswoman said today.

Dodi Soza, a junior, died at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, said Rochele Steele. Federal privacy laws prohibit the release of the time or cause of death, she said.

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

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

"He just collapsed and apparently he went into cardiac arrest," Mario Galvan, a friend and teammate who kept a vigil outside the hospital, said.

Students at both schools brought white balloons to impromptu memorials for Soza Friday.

The Downey Patriot news site reports there will be a vigil for Soza at 7 p.m. tonight at Downey High School's stadium. Attendees are asked to bring candles and white balloons.

No services have been announced.

--City News Service