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Doctor: Gwinnett man dies from torn artery after single slap

Adrian Herrera

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Adrian Herrera
By Amanda C. Coyne
Dec 14, 2017

A Gwinnett County man who died after a single slap to the face was killed by a tear in his vertebral artery, a Gwinnett County homicide detective said.

Tomas Rodriguez died after a child’s birthday party at a Dacula home early on Dec. 3 after Adrian Herrera slapped him, according to police. The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s office later determined Rodriguez’s cause of death was a torn vertebral artery, a major artery in the neck that provides blood to the brain, spinal cord and other vital organs.

ExplorePREVIOUSLY: Cops: Man’s slap killed Gwinnett father at child’s birthday party

Herrera told police that Rodriguez had been harassing him, and that as Herrera attempted to leave the home that night, Rodriguez grabbed his shoulder and called him a vulgar name. Herrera has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with Rodriguez’s death.

Herrera was granted $35,000 bond after a Dec. 14 hearing.

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Authorities identified the victim as 62-year-old Kanakkumar Yvas, of Lilburn.

About the Author

Amanda Coyne is a hyperlocal reporter for the AJC, covering Gwinnett County.

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