Crime & Safety

Bradenton Christian Coach Dies While Weightlifting

Donald Vautrinot Jr. was a basketball coach and a board member of Suncoast Striders.

A basketball coach from Bradenton Christian High School died Thursday while he was lifting weights at home, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. 

Donald Vautrinot Jr., 41, was pronounced dead at his home. His two daughters called 911 after they came home from school and found him unresponsive on a weight bench in the house. The paramedic who was first on the scene said that Vautrinot had already died.

Vautrinot was the junior varsity coach for the girls basketball team at Bradenton Christian, and he was assistant coach to the girls varsity team. He also served on the board for the Suncoast Striders.

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"He was an inspirational person who saw good in everyone," said Mimi Tran, one of his neighbors. "He always had a smile on his face and will be remembered for his faith, his community service, and most of all what a loving father and husband he was."

Deputies told ABC 7 that Vautrinot died when 300 pounds of weights fell on him. Vautrinot's wife told deputies that in the past month he had run a marathon and a half marathon. In the past week he had a cold.

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