School staff, Hillsborough deputy describe life-saving efforts after teen collapsed on track field

WFLA | By Melissa Marino | February 14, 2024

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Quick thinking school staff and a Hillsborough County deputy are being called heroes after helping save the life of a student after he collapsed and stopped breathing.

17-year-old Ansel Laureano collapsed while running track at Leto High School.

Students immediately alerted track coach Lauren Palek when Laureano collapsed.

Palek told News Channel 8 she called for backup as she raced to help.

“He was not breathing, so I began CPR, started compressions, mouth to mouth,” Palek said.

Although Palek is CPR certified, she said nothing could prepare her for this, as she credited a 911 dispatcher for keeping her calm.

“I’m getting emotional, but, even with training, it was scary.,” she said. “I knew what to do, but having someone on the other end of the line counting with me, made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”

Inside the school, Assistant Principal Scott Hazlett had grabbed an AED and was headed for the track when he learned the severity of the situation.

“I hear there’s CPR happening, compressions happening, so then I run full speed,” Hazlett said.

Hazlett said he was trained to use the defibrillator, but had never needed to use one until now.

“I start opening the AED, as I’m approaching the student. Miss Palak and I place the AED on the student. It said everyone stand back, administering shock, and it shocked the student, and then Miss Pallek continued compressions on the kid,” Hazlett said.

Minutes later Hillsborough County Deputy Deena Biland arrived on scene, and joined the life-saving efforts.

“We heard the call come out, there was a juvenile, a child involved, and that automatically gets us into go mode,” Biland said. “I did what I could to get there as soon as possible. I happened to be at the right place at the right time.”

“When the deputy got here she jumped in and started compressions, and I continued with mouth-to-mouth,” Palek said.

Laureano had no heartbeat and was not breathing for eight minutes, but thanks to the quick thinking of his coach, assistant principal, and the deputy, he’s alive today, and thankful.

“I have two coaches which I’m grateful for. I have a full team. I’m glad everybody was fast enough to help me, knew how to help me,” Laureano said.

Laureano was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he stayed for 24 hours, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

Laureano said doctors are still trying to figure out why this happened.