Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Coroner: Teen Died of Ecstasy OD at Electric Daisy Carnival

sasha-rodriguez-200x.jpg
Sasha Rodriguez (Family photo)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

15-year-old Sasha Rodriguez died of an ecstasy overdose, came the official ruling from the Los Angeles County coroner's office yesterday, according to the AP.The teenager had been at the Electric Daisy Carnival during the last weekend in June this summer when she collapsed amidst the crowd. When she fell, Rodriguez hit her head, and while her friends tried to shield her from being trampled, the crowd overwhelmed them. Ultimately, Rodriguez was taken to the hospital, where she fell into a coma and then died.

Doctors who examined the teen at the hospital noted the ecstasy in her system, and ascertained she was dehydrated and then in shock when her system was rushed with water while she was still conscious. The coroner's office said Rodriguez's death was the result of complications from using the drug, and ruled her death an accident.

The safety of events like the Electric Daisy Carnival has come under scrutiny since the event. Medical professionals expressed worries immediately following the rave-like event, and subsequently a task force was formed to determine if holding such gatherings at a place like the LA Coliseum was a good idea.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today