Family of Brothers Killed In Crash Argue over Organ Donations

Family of Brothers Killed In Crash Argue over Organ Donations

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11-24-08 at 7:17AM

The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that relatives of a Chula Vista teenager killed in an apparent drunken driving crash are considering taking legal action to stop the boy's foster parents from donating his organs.

Otay Ranch High School senior Jason Spickerman, 16, was declared brain dead Saturday afternoon at Scripps Mercy Hospital after being injured in a crash late Friday night, Chula Vista police said. A second brother riding in the same vehicle was also killed.

Spickerman was a passenger in a car hit by a pickup truck driven by a man who was apparently drunk, police said.

Christian Balboa, 28, who identified himself as the eldest of Spickerman's four brothers, said he and other relatives have pleaded with the victim's foster parents not to donate his organs, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The foster parents initially said they would respect the family's wishes but changed their mind hours later, Balboa told the newspaper.

Spickerman's foster parents could not be reached for comment, according to the Union-Tribune.

Balboa, who refused to comment on why his brother was in foster care, said he may seek a court order today to stop the donation, the newspaper reported.

Spickerman's 18-year-old brother, Daniel Spickerman, died at Rady Children's Hospital about three hours after the crash, which occurred at Main Street and Brandywine Avenue in Chula Vista.

The Spickerman brother who was driving the car was treated at a hospital and released, according to police.

The pickup driver, 31-year-old Enrique Coronado, ran from the scene but was caught a short distance away, police said.

Coronado was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, felony hit-and-run and being an unlicensed driver -- and a murder count could be added following an investigation, according to police.

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