ECHS Student Dies After Fall

Jeffrey Ortega

provided

(Bright, Ind.) - A memorial service is being planned for an East Central High School student who died last week.

Jeffrey Ortega suffered serious injuries after falling off a deck at his family’s home on Stateline Road Thursday. Ortega was taken off life support Friday according to his mother, Dagne Ameigh.

His family said nobody witnessed the fall. Jeffrey suffered from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism which made it difficult for him to think of consequences, she said.

The 18-year-old was an avid runner and member of the school cross country team. He was also a member of DARE, GLAD, the diversity club and more.

A memorial service for Ortega will be Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Greendale Vineyard Church, 777 Eads Parkway/U.S. 50.

Family members remember Jeffrey as someone who loved helping people.

“He’d give anybody anything,” said Ameigh.

That’s why when Jeffrey died they opted to donate parts of his body to people in need of transplants. Some of his skin went to a girl in need at Shriners Hospital for Children Burn Center in Cincinnati, Ameigh said.

Jeffrey had planned to his life about helping students with disabilities.

Contributions can be made to the Jeffrey’s Place Fund which will pay for counseling and therapy services for local teens in need of help. Mail donations to Jeffrey’s Place Fund, PO Box 3647, Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025.

LINKS:

Teen Injured In Fall