Prayer vigil held for Temecula teen critically injured in fall at school

Leticia Juarez Image
Friday, May 22, 2015
Prayer vigil held for Temecula teen critically injured in fall at school
Students at Temecula Valley High School held a prayer vigil Thursday night for Osmani Leyva, a fellow classmate who was severely injured in a fall on campus.

TEMECULA, Calif. (KABC) -- Students at Temecula Valley High School held a prayer vigil Thursday night for Osmani Leyva, a fellow classmate who was severely injured in a fall on campus.

Osmani had been taking part in a blindfold class project Wednesday morning when he fell from a second story rail and landed on the stairs below, witnesses said.

"I just saw him walking around with a blindfold, paper towels covering his eyes for an anatomy project," student Corey Williams said.

Leyva was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in critical condition. On a Facebook Page called "Pray for Osmani," concerned friends and strangers posted prayers for him and his family.

A woman who identified herself as Osmani's sister-in-law said the teen remained on a ventilator. The post goes on to say his family is asking for privacy.

The Temecula community is also using social media to gather support for the teen. Former Temecula Valley High School teacher and alumnus, Jay Watkins, is collecting donations to be given to Osmani's family.

"Pretty much anything. The best probably is monetary, any sort of monetary donations. One hundred percent goes to the family. We're just going to take it and give it directly to the family, and anything that anyone feels like bringing in we'll take over and bring it to the family," he said.