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Teen Dies After Drug Overdose at Electric Daisy Carnival
Sasha Rodriguez (Family photo)
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Sasha Rodriguez (Family photo)
15-year-old Sasha Rodriguez of Atwater was one of the over 100 people transported out of the Electric Daisy Carnival at the Coliseum this weekend to an area hospital. The teen was in respiratory arrest when she arrived, lapsed into a coma, and experienced organ failure.Sasha "died shortly before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday," according to the LA Times. Her parents had to decide whether to remove her from life support.
Sasha had ecstasy in her system when she was brought to the hospital, doctors told the girl's parents. "A 16-year old friend who was with Sasha at the rave said Sasha was dancing, got hot and began quickly drinking cold water," which actually shocked her body, since the ecstasy had compromised her body's ability to replace her depleted sodium and electrolytes efficiently.
The teen collapsed and hit her head on the ground, say friends, adding that despite trying to shield Sasha's body, "the venue was so crowded, people stepped on them."
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Yesterday, prior to Sasha's death, medical professionals spoke out with concerns about a rave and concert event like Electric Daisy Carnival being held at a venue like the Coliseum, which is on public land and operated by city, county, and state commission.
Now at issue is the fact that Sasha--and other attendees--were under age for the event; promoters had requested children under 16 be accompanied by adult. "I didn't see any ID being checked at the entry point," said Dr. Caitlin Reed, who was at the rave on assignment from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. "There were many, many younger teenagers present."
The Rodriguez family has just begun to face the loss of their daughter Sasha. Grace Rodriguez, Sasha's mother, told a television news outlet: "I was supposed to be planning her Sweet Sixteen party. Now I have to plan her funeral."
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