Teen Athlete Who Fell Into Coma Opens Eyes

THOUSAND OAKS —  It may seem like a small ray of hope, but the family of an Oxnard teen who fell into a coma last month was ecstatic at news that Dante Nunnery has opened his eyes.

“It’s a miracle,” said his father, James Clinton Nunnery Sr. “It’s something unexpected that’s been done. That’s a miracle.”

Dante, 16, fell into a coma after collapsing in the final minute of a junior varsity basketball game at Agoura High School Dec. 30. Agoura coach Gerald Pickett and a nurse attending the game administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation until paramedics arrived.

Doctors said Tuesday that the Rio Mesa High School sophomore opened his eyes voluntarily for the first time a few days ago and is showing signs that he recognizes his mother.

His family plans to transfer him today out of Columbia Los Robles Hospital and to a rehabilitation treatment clinic at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard.

Dante’s parents and his five brothers have tried to keep a constant vigil by his bedside, talking to him even when he was in a deep coma.

Dante’s father was buoyant at the news that his son would be transferred to a rehabilitation center and at the steady improvements his son has made the last few days.

Nunnery received the news about the transfer Tuesday and headed over to the hospital immediately with his wife, Lorean Nunnery.

“He’s improving. He was smiling today. His arms and legs are moving. He was smiling with his eyes,” Dante’s father said.

Nunnery said he prayed every day that his son would get better. Dante still has a tube in his throat, but his dad thinks Dante will be talking soon.

“I’m really excited. I’m ready to hear his voice.”

Dr. Loren Label said Dante’s condition has improved significantly in the last three weeks.

“He’s more alert and generally more responsive,” Label said.

With his eyes open, Dante now follows his mother moving across the room and watches television, he said.

Although doctors said he has no lingering medical problems, he will probably suffer some long-term brain damage that will likely affect his cognitive skills.

Doctors do not believe he will again suffer the same kind of heart trouble he had on the basketball court.

Dante suffered cardiac arrest in the final moments of the game, Label said. He went into a coma because he was not getting enough blood and oxygen to the brain.

“What happened was a very subtle and previously unknown electrical problem with his heart,” Label said. “The problem hasn’t appeared since. It rarely happens, but when it does it often happens with athletes or anyone exerting a lot of energy.”

Doctors expect Dante to talk again. His rehabilitation could take months.

Times staff writer Hilary MacGregor and correspondent Penny Arevalo contributed to this story.