A Pennsylvania college student and basketball player died over the weekend after purportedly choking to death on chewing gum while asleep.
Shanice Clark, a 21-year-old senior at California University of Pennsylvania in Washington County, was found unconscious in her dorm room early Sunday morning, KDKA.com reported.
She was taken to Monongahela Valley Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The Washington County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy on Monday - the results have yet to be released - however, local police told KDKA a preliminary report from medical personnel indicated that the death appeared to be accidental and caused by aspirating on chewing gum while sleeping.
An official investigation is underway.
Clark was a native of Toronto and had transferred to the Pennsylvania college after playing two years at Sante Fe College in Gainesville, Florida.
The 6-foot forward was redshirting this season after playing 24 games for the Vulcans last season.
The college’s athletic department released a statement expressing sympathy for her loved ones.
Games originally scheduled for Wednesday against Gannon University in Erie have been rescheduled for Thursday.