Advertisement Emerson lacrosse player, Mendon native fighting for his life, family says Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Daniel Hollis, a 2018 Hopedale High School graduate and Emerson College sophomore, is fighting for his life after an incident happened over the weekend, The MetroWest Daily News reports.Early Saturday morning, Hollis and some of his friends were leaving a party and were reportedly confronted by “another group of college-aged boys,” according to a caringbridge.org website the family set up in his honor.“Words were exchanged, pushing/shoving started, and in the scuffle, we believe Dan was hit and subsequently hit his head on cement/bricks as he fell,” a post on the website reads.Boston police confirmed the incident, which occurred on Park Vale Avenue, is under investigation, but did not provide additional details. Hollis, 20, was brought to a local-area hospital in Boston where the family said he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his brain. He underwent emergency surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma.After a few optimistic posts on the website from Hollis’ mother, Jen Kelly, and his sister, Kate Hollis, including how “nurses were impressed with how much better” he was on Sunday, Hollis’ condition took a turn for the worse on Monday.Hollis’ medical team informed his family that “due to the damage to his brain stem,” he likely would not regain consciousness and the significant damage to parts of his brain that control body functions, such as his heart and respiratory system, would not likely recover.“He will not be able to sustain life,” his mother wrote, “even with the aid of life support systems.”In her latest post on the website, around 5 p.m. Monday, Kelly asked that, during this difficult time, people focus on the positives, such as Hollis’ smile, his sense of humor and his love of music, sports and his friends and family.Hollis was a member of the Emerson men’s lacrosse team after playing as a goalie for the Hopedale High boys lacrosse team. He also played hockey and was an assistant captain for the Hopedale co-op hockey team.“We will continue to update this website as Dan’s journey nears its end," Kelly wrote. “Please keep our family in your hearts during this difficult time.“The positive energy is making it to him and surrounding him with love while he is still with us.”