By Daniel Torres / Asst. Sports Editor
By Daniel Torres / Asst. Sports Editor
Riverside City College lost one its own on Sept. 1 when Victor Partnoff, a 20-year-old resident of Yucaipa and a member of the RCC football team, died on his way home from practice.
Partnoff was driving a 2008 Ford Fusion and crashed going eastbound on the I-10 freeway in Redlands, just east of Wabash Ave.
Partnoff collided into a parked tractor trailer on the right shoulder of the I-10 and was said to have not been wearing a seatbelt.
Partnoff was then transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center where he was declared dead at 7:04 p.m., according to the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Press Release.
Head football coach Bill Brown described Partnoff as a hard worker who loved the game.
“Vic (Partnoff) went to Cal Poly Pomona for academics then transferred over to RCC to play football,” Brown said.
Fellow teammate James Calhoun said he didn’t know Partnoff very well.
He did mention though that he always saw him working hard whether he was out on the field or in the weight room.
Most of football team also attended a memorial for Partnoff in order to pay their respects.
The school held a moment of silence for Partnoff just before its game against San Bernardino Valley College on Saturday Sept. 12.
RCC went on to win that game with many players saying the win was for Partnoff.
The team decided to leave Partnoff’s locker untouched and to keep his jersey hanging as a reminder that he is still present and still a part of the team.
The players are also wearing a sticker with Partnoff’s initials, VP, on their helmets.
Partnoff Played three years varsity at Yucaipa High School before playing at RCC for Brown.
He was seen as a star on the field at Yucaipa earning team defensive MVP during his senior year.
Partnoff was laid to rest on September 10 at Montecito Memorial Park in Loma Linda.
The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the collision.
Myself, as well as the entire Viewpoints staff would like to send our condolences to Partnoff’s family and friends.
