Ferndale Grad in Coma after Beating by Florida Bar Manager
(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 3, 2013)
Friends and family are rallying together in support of a Ferndale graduate who is in a coma after a St. Petersburg, Florida bar manager broke his neck and fractured his skull.
Jeremy Fisher, 39, was at Suite 6 Bar and Lounge on Saturday, June 29 when the bar manager Blake Ambrester, 24, violently removed him from the bar.
According to published reports, Ambrester put Fisher in a choke hold until he passed out, and left him unconscious, face down, on the sidewalk out front. Friends say others continued to kick and beat him.
Sister-in-law July Morales said “Jeremy was beaten senseless. The news reports make it seem like he 
was intoxicated and fighting, but he did not deserve this.”
Ambrester faces aggravated battery charges. He was released on $10,000 bail.
According to The Tampa Bay Times, Ambrester has a history of violence. In 2008 he pleaded no contest to felony battery charges in a case from Tallahassee, and served jail time for the same offense in another case.
Fisher graduated from Ferndale High School in 1992, and then went to Rutger’s University with a 
soccer scholarship. The avid sports fan did an internship in New York before moving to Miami and taking a sports editing job with Sun Sports/FOX Sports Florida. He met his wife Isis in Miami 13 years ago and they have been married for 8 years.
He had traveled to St. Petersburg for the chance to see his favorite childhood team, the Tigers, play. While the Tigers were losing to the Rays that Sunday, Fisher was fighting for his life at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, hundreds of miles from his home. His parents, who live in Oak Park, are now in Florida at his side.
“We are on day four since Jeremy D. Fisher was brought to the Hospital in critical condition. His condition is still the same and now we were informed this morning he is experiencing a pulmonary infection which seems to be a common thing with his injury, ventilator and laying in bed for long periods of time,” posted his wife Isis on Facebook. “Our entire family thank each and everyone of you for the outpouring of Love, support and prayers. Please continue praying for our Jeremy to heal.”
Donations are being accepted for Fisher and his family https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/qkm2/wishing-jeremy-a-quick-recovery. Those who want to send cards and gifts directly may do so c/o July Morales 335 SW 18th Road, Miami, FL 33129.
UPDATE 07/06 – Jeremy’s wife Isis reports that he is making baby step’s worth of progress and that he is now breathing without the aid of a ventilator. She will keep us updated as his condition improves.
UPDATE 07/07 – An update from Jeremy’s Father – It was a week ago today that Jeremy went to the ballgame with his friends, Jeff & Mike & Cousin Bob . . . just hours before he was injured.
Thank you, everyone, for your kind words & prayers – Jeremy is now off the ventilator & can answer simple questions correctly. His throat is really sore from the ventilator tube, so his talking is limited. He recognized us, Isis & family that visited today, so we are pleased with his progress so far. But, he’s still not out of the woods yet or ready for his neck surgery; maybe next week if his throat has healed enough. Again, we are SO grateful to know he’s on the right track. “Team Jeremy” has been cheering us all on!
