Boise State Freshman Dies

Paul Reyna, a freshman defensive tackle at Boise State, died Monday after being hospitalized following a head injury last week.

A statement issued by the school's athletic department said Reyna, 19, died at 5:20 p.m. EDT in the intensive care unit at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center.

Reyna suffered a torn blood vessel between his brain and skull, and the bleeding developed into a blood clot.

Surgery immediately after Wednesday night's injury relieved pressure on Reyna's brain. However, sports information director Max Corbet said the damage was too severe and led to Reyna's death.

Reyna was hurt in Boise State's first scrimmage of fall practice.

He apparently hit his head on the artificial turf. The 270-pound lineman from La Puente, Calif., walked off the field but complained of discomfort while sitting on the bench.

Paramedics administered oxygen and intravenous fluids before taking him to the hospital.

A memorial service, open to the public, is scheduled for Tuesday at the Student Union Building on campus.

©1999 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed