FERN PARK, Fla. – The Seminole County Sheriff's Office has launched an investigation after a convenience store clerk died Saturday, weeks after hitting his head while trying to break up a fight outside the store.
Paresh Patel's boss, who also happens to be named Paresh Patel, told News 6 that his employee had been working at Pelican Discount Beverages on Oxford Road for several years.
The owner and friends said Paresh Patel was working two weeks ago when he noticed two people fighting outside the store.
The owner said Paresh Patel got into the middle of the fight and someone pushed him.
"He tripped over the sidewalk, and he hit his head in the sidewalk," Alex Paret, who frequents the store, said.
The business owner said his employee didn't immediately seek medical attention.
"He didn't want to go to the hospital at the time," the owner said. "His wife took him to the hospital later on. He couldn't stop bleeding from the wound."
The medical examiner's office confirmed Patel passed away Saturday morning, but could not reveal the results of the autopsy until a Sheriff's Office investigation is completed.
On Sunday, several friends held a vigil with candles, flowers and notes of love for Patel outside the convenience store. A jar at the register of the store has been quickly filling up with donations for Patel's family.
"This shouldn't have happened to a good guy," Donna Howes, who helped organize the vigil with Paret, said.
Paret said Patel was a kindhearted man known for helping people in need.
"We have a very large homeless community here," Paret said. "That man gave everything for them. He would cook food at home, bring it here, and when they would come along, he would give it to them. The man never did anything wrong. He did not deserve to die."
The Sheriff's Office has not confirmed if any arrests have been made in connection with Patel's death.