According to a Cal Poly Athletics press release, San Ramon Valley High School (SRVHS) student Jake Javier — who was to be a preferred walk-on for the Cal Poly football team this fall as a mechanical engineering student — is currently in intensive care.
Colleen Nichols, wife of SRVHS junior varsity football coach Drew Nichols, said that Javier was diving into the pool at a friend’s house Thursday night. He hit his head and was immediately paralyzed from the chest down.
Javier was airlifted from the friend’s home to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.
“He had surgery to stabilize his spine, but he is paralyzed from the chest down and will likely not regain the use of his legs,” San Ramon Valley High School said in a statement.
However, according to Javier’s aunt Diane Blardony’s statement to the East Bay Times, it is unclear what exactly the permanent damage is. He will most likely be in intensive care for at least two weeks.
A GoFundMe page was created after the accident to raise money for the medical expenses. It it currently at more than $100,000 out of the $150,000 requested.
Javier was unable to attend his high school graduation the day after, but a friend accepted his diploma in his name.
San Ramon Valley High School Principal Ruth Steele was deeply effected by the accident.
“Jake is a special young man, and this tragic accident has left our staff, students and families absolutely devastated,” Steele said in a letter to the high school parents and teachers.
Javier’s current state is unknown other than the fact he is still in intensive care.
Correction: A previous version of this article stated that Javier had fallen into a pool and was to be a walk-on for the Cal Poly football team. New information obtained in an interview with Nichols revealed that he dove into the pool and was to be a preferred walk-on for the Cal Poly football team.
The previous version also said Javier was paralyzed from the waist down. It has been corrected to say the chest down.