This month marks the ninth anniversary of the passing of 15-year-old Samuel “Sam” Xavier Siroky.
On Tuesday, July 1, 2014, Sam was riding a friend’s bicycle down Green Pine Drive toward Vacation Drive. As he approached the end of the street, Sam lost control of the bicycle and struck a vehicle traveling on Vacation Drive.
The bicycle Sam was riding didn’t have brakes and he was not wearing a helmet or appropriate shoes, according to his family. He was severely injured.
Sam’s doctors waited until the following day to pronounce him brain dead so that his mother and brother, who were out of town at the time of the accident, could be with him.
On July 5, suitable recipients were found for several of Sam’s organs, which were distributed through One Legacy. A woman in a nearby county received Sam’s heart. A woman residing in Riverside County received Sam’s liver. A child received one of Sam’s kidneys.
About a year after the recipients received Sam’s organs, Sam’s parents met the woman who received his heart. She allowed Sam’s parents to listen to his heart beating inside of her.
Soon after Sam’s passing, a roadside memorial was started at the location of the accident on Vacation Drive. Today, nine years after the accident, community members still leave flowers, basketballs, stuffed animals, hats, letters, and other items at the site.
In 2014, the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association honored Sam with a permanent memorial at the basketball courts at East Port Park. A ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony was held on November 25. “We Love seeing kids playing at the basketball courts,” Sam’s mother said.
Sam was an avid basketball player who was usually the first one in the gym and the last one out. At the time of his passing, Sam had just completed his freshman year at Temescal Canyon High School where he played basketball and was named Best Offensive Player. He was looking forward to playing on the varsity basketball team as a sophomore.
Sam’s sister, Abigail, was 12 years old at the time of his passing. His brother, Thomas, was nine years old. Like Sam, Abigail and Thomas developed a love and passion for basketball. They both served as team captains of their high school basketball teams and received numerous athletic and student awards.
The Sirokys have resided in Canyon Lake for the last 28 years. Canyon Lake was Sam’s home, where he was raised since birth. The family said they are so thankful for the support they’ve received at the time of the accident and over the last nine years.
Sam’s parents said they hope this story will “remind young people of the importance of wearing a helmet.”
