Settlement Reached in Death of Prep Football Player

A seven-figure settlement was reached in the 2017 death of a high school football player in Farmingville, New York.

According to The Associated Press, 16-year-old Joshua Mileto was participating in a training camp at Sachem East High School when he was crushed by a 400-pound log. The log was part of an exercise, with the 5-foot-6, 134-pound Mileto carrying it along with several teammates. After the log fell and hit him in the head, Mileto was declared dead at the hospital.

Marcelo A. Buitrago, an attorney for the Mileto family, told Newsday that the settlement funds will go toward academic and athletic scholarships in Mileto’s memory, as well as toward advocacy for policies to tighten youth-sports safety regulations.

Sayyida Lynn Archarski-MIleto, Joshua’s mother, had alleged negligence and wrongful death in a lawsuit filed against Sachem Central School District and the Sachem East Touchdown Club.

“The district was recently notified of a settlement agreement pertaining to this accident,” district superintendent Christopher J. Pellettieri said through a spokesperson. “The district was recently notified of a settlement agreement pertaining to this accident. Although this announcement signifies closure to the legal component of this tragedy, the grief, loss and continued efforts to heal and unite will remain for years to come.”