PORT ANGELES — Friends and family of a teenager who died from a fall at the Port Angeles Skatepark urged the City Council to pass a city law mandating helmets for skateboarders and rename the park in the late Frank Russo’s memory.
Mayor Karen Rogers said the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and the council’s parks and recreation subcommittee will take the issues under consideration.
“I commend you for your passion and compassion,” she said.
Paramedics were called to the Port Angeles Skatepark at 6:32 p.m. Friday after Frank Russo, a 14-year-old Stevens Middle School student, hit his head while skateboarding, suffered seizures and fell unconscious, according to 9-1-1 dispatch logs.
Russo died from his injuries on Saturday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
William Feeney, Russo’s stepfather, said helmets should be mandatory for skateboarders.
“Frank was an excellent skater. If it was mandatory for kids to wear helmets, he would still be alive.” Feeney said.
Dealing with his stepson’s death is ” the worst thing I’ve had to do in my life.” he said. “I don’t wish it on anyone.”
