North Canton Hoover junior Zach Herrera died Friday at Akron Children’s Hospital, four weeks after suffering a brain aneurysm, according to his sister, Alexis Herrera.
Alexis announced the news on her Twitter account Friday morning with a post that read: “RIP baby brother 05/04/2000 - 07/22/2016 I’ll see you again someday, I love you ! #ZachStrongForever.”
The Canton Repository was the first to report the news of Zach Herrera’s death.
He was one of the leading tacklers as a linebacker on Hoover’s junior varsity football team in 2015. He was expected to receive playing time for the Vikings’ varsity team in 2016.
Herrera suffered the brain aneurysm on June 24, soon after returning from a vacation to Florida, according to the Repository.
The Vikings plan to wear a sticker with Herrera’s jersey number (40) on the back of their helmets this season. The team will also have his jersey on the sideline during each game.
A GoFundMe page was set up and helped to raise more than $22,500 to help Herrera’s family pay for his medical care. Several businesses in the North Canton area also held fundraisers.
Michael Beaven can be reached at 330-996-3829 or mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the #ABJVarsity high school blog at www.ohio.com/preps. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.