SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A second heat-related death has been confirmed in Sacramento County this summer.
When the temperature hit 108 degrees July 3, 77-year-old Albert Edadiz assured his wife it would be OK to drive his car from their South Sacramento home to O'Reilly Auto Parts on Stockton Boulevard, just a few blocks away.
After walking out of the auto parts store, he experienced symptoms of a heat stroke in his car.
Paramedics with the Sacramento Fire Department rushed him to UC Davis Medical Center.
After nine days on life support, the retired upholsterer and Vietnam combat veteran didn't make it.
"This is very tragic, to lose someone in our community due to a preventable, heat-related illness. It's a very sad deal," said Justin Sylvia, Sacramento Fire Department spokesman.
Sylvia said crews have been out on more heat-related calls than usual due to the extreme heat.
When the temperature hit 113 degrees July 6, heat stroke also claimed the life of a man in his late 50s in North Sacramento, after his air conditioning failed.
Syvia said it's important that people know the signs of heat stroke — falling heart rate, altered level of consciousness, no sweating. To prevent these symptoms, stay cool, hydrated and protected from the sun in extreme heat.
The wife of Albert Edadiz told ABC10 she believed if he only hadn't gone out that day, her husband would still be alive.
