Punching contest claims life 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
(It's more a case of "Darwin Roulette" - but it appears that any of the contestants would have been worthy winners)
Teens' booze session ends in tragedy
Punching contest claims 16-year-old's life in San Jose
Charles Burress, Chronicle Staff Writer
onday, July 28, 2003
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UPDATE: The Santa Clara County District Attorney has decided not to file charges against Richard Jiminez in the death of Jacob Salas.
The office determined that the death was an accident and resulted from an activity that did not have a high risk of death.
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A San Jose youth was killed Sunday morning by a blow to the chest from his close friend during a punching contest that followed a round of beer- drinking, police said.
The 16-year-old high school sophomore, who was an avid weightlifter, died after his 19-year-old friend struck him in the chest about 12:30 a.m. at the victim's home in the 200 block of Senter Road, said San Jose police Sgt. Steve Dixon.
The dead youth was identified by grieving family members as Jacob Salas, a student at Andrew Hill High School in San Jose.
The suspect, Richard Jimenez, also of San Jose, was booked into Santa Clara County Jail for investigation of involuntary manslaughter, punishable by up to four years in prison, Dixon said.
He had fled and was arrested about 5:30 a.m. after detectives found him at a friend's home in East San Jose, Dixon said. He was being held on $200,000 bail.
The death involved no real malice, Dixon said. "It was more a combination of alcohol and stupidity, with unfortunately tragic consequences.
"I'm told this was something they did before, with no serious harm. They were drinking beer, feeling tough, feeling macho."
It wasn't the first time such punching games have claimed young lives. Another San Jose teen, 15-year-old Russell Edwards, died of a heart attack after being hit in the chest 12 years ago. Other victims have included a 14- year-old boy in Dayton, Ohio, in 1998 and a 15-year-old on Long Island, New York, in 1996.
Salas had appeared healthy and in good shape, family members said. The cause of death will be determined by an autopsy, Dixon said.
"He was a very healthy, handsome young man, starting his life," said his distraught mother, Rebecca Salas, an American Red Cross employee who lives in Merced County.
The parents are separated, and the son lived with his father, Jacob D. Salas, who works in the body shop of a car dealer, the mother said. The son was the oldest of six children.
"He was starting to turn his life around," said Rebecca Salas, who was visiting her son's house, where many relatives and friends gathered Sunday. "He had been in a little trouble."
He had been scheduled to move to Merced County to live with her in a few weeks, she said.
Her son was called by his initial "J" by friends and family, she said. He and Jimenez were close friends, she said.
Another close friend was the victim's older cousin, Kin Salas. "He was a great kid, really nice, family oriented," the cousin said. "He was always at my house. It was an awful shock."
Asked about Jacob Salas' special interests, the cousin said, "He liked to lift weights all the time."
After drinking beer early Sunday, Jimenez and Jacob Salas agreed to go outside and trade punches until one of them gave up, Dixon said. The game forbids hitting the head or below the waist, he said. Opponents take turns and no blocking is allowed.
Salas collapsed unconscious after being hit in the chest, Dixon said. Paramedics tried to revive the youth, who was pronounced dead after being rushed to Santa Teresa Medical Center.
Dixon said he didn't believe there was a significant size difference between the two friends. The father of the dead teen indicated that his son was brawnier and larger than Jimenez.
Jimenez has no criminal history, Dixon said.
Anyone with information about the death of Salas is asked to call San Jose police Sgt. Chuck Hahn or Sgt. Rob Millard at (408) 277-5283. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call the police department's Crime Stoppers number, (408) 947-STOP.
E-mail Charles Burress at cburress@sfchronicle.com
Submitted on 07/28/2003
Submitted by:
Neil Clark
Reference:
San Fran Chronicle-7-28-03
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