GA Student Declared Brain Dead After Batting Accident Left Him In Coma

GAINESVILLE — A 17-year-old Gainesville High School student who was mistakenly hit by a bat during baseball practice in November, causing a coma, has now been declared brain dead, according to media reports.

Both Fox 5 Atlanta and Atlanta News First reported Wednesday that Jeremy Medina, who has been in a coma since Nov. 20, was declared brain dead by his physicians.

"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. More information about Jeremy’s Honor Walk and Celebration of Life will be shared soon," Gainesville school officials wrote Wednesday on Facebook alongside photos of Medina.

Medina was a pitcher and catcher for Gainesville High's 2022 baseball team, the school said in a Nov. 22 announcement about the accident.

School officials said the high-school senior was in the batting cage on campus when he was hit in the head by the bat. He was in a coma at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, school officials said.

"Jeremy and his family are firm believers in Jesus Christ and His redemptive love, and are requesting prayer during this extremely difficult time," schools officials said at the time.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, no foul play is suspected in the accident.

Gainesville High School Principal Jamie Green told the outlet the baseball team received the latest news privately Wednesday morning, when they were surrounded by love and support.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center told Atlanta News First Medina's family plans to donate his organs as he wished. The outlet reported Medina listed himself as an organ donor on his driver's license.

"I just want everyone to be sure our strength, my family's strength, my strength since day one, has only been rooted in the most amazing power of Jesus Christ," Medina's father, David Medina, told Fox 5 Atlanta.

Read more via Atlanta News First and Fox 5 Atlanta.