A popular Orange County coach has died, more than a week after he was critically injured while riding his bike.
Unfortunately, we know almost nothing about what happened.
According to the OC Sports Zone, longtime Corona del Mar baseball coach John Emme suffered life-threatening injuries on Saturday, September 4th, in what was described only as a “bike accident.”
He died on Monday, after ten days in intensive care.
Richard Dunn added a little more information on Twitter, revealing that Emme had succumbed to a head injury.
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart to announce the passing today of former @family_cd coach John Emme, 57, who could not recover from head injuries suffered last week in a bike accident. @CDMpride
@CDM_ATHLETICS @SteveFryer @CIFSS @ucdavisbaseball pic.twitter.com/JualuElGB8— Richard Dunn (@dunnwriter) September 13, 2021
However, there’s no word on how he was injured or where, whether Emme was struck by a driver, suffered a solo crash, or was injured some other way.
As the news spread, John Emme was fondly remembered for his 21-year tenure as coach of the baseball team at Corona Del Mar High School, leading his team to two CIF state championships.
And more importantly, as a friend to his former players, competitors and fellow coaches.
He continued to teach psychology, sociology and credit recovery at the school after he retired as a coach in 2018.
Hopefully, we’ll get more information soon.
This is at least the 47th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in Orange County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for John Emme and all his family and loved ones.
