Marion County Teen Collapses on Football Field, Dies at Age 18

Students at Marion County Middle High School are mourning the loss of their friend who collapsed during a football practice Tuesday evening. As the team was running plays, 18-year-old Erick Gutierrez bent over to get into his stance and fell over. Paramedics responded, but he could not be revived. Gutierrez was later pronounced dead at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.

Gutierrez was a Senior from Buena Vista, Georgia. He was an offensive lineman and participant of his high school’s film club. Gutierrez was college-bound, interested in studying business.

“Just a wonderful kid. Outgoing, always smiling. Don’t know anyone who didn’t love him,“ said Glenn Tidwell, principal of Marion County Middle High School.

Autopsy results are pending. The family has set funeral arrangements for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.