Mike Victorino passes away

PONDERAY — A Ponderay Police sergeant who was critically injured in a motorcycle crash passed away Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

"Mike [Victorino] has gone home to be with our Lord and Savior," Bonner County Sheriff's chaplain Capt. Robert Whitt posted on Facebook. "He passed peacefully in his sleep, I was honored and able to be by his side to hold his hand, tell him we love him and he is free to go home to Jesus. May God be with him and comfort you all during this difficult time."

Victorino was injured after crashing his Harley-Davidson on U.S. Highway 12 on Aug. 15. Victorino's condition took a turn for the worse in recent days, according to Bonner County Sheriff's chaplains, who have been keeping the public updated on Victorino's condition over social media.

"After speaking to the doctor yesterday it is in her opinion that Mike's time is very short. His kidneys and liver are failing and due to the lack of fluids and nutrition his sodium levels are skyrocketing which will eventually affect his brain. The nurses are now keeping him very comfortable and he is resting peacefully," Robert and Jennine Whitt said in a post to Facebook on Wednesday.

The Whitts said in a previous Facebook post that Victorino's condition deteriorated drastically over the past week. He was transferred to Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene.

"Since being brought here he had become more and more combative to the point of having to be restrained," the Whitts said on Facebook.

Victorino underwent an MRI, CAT scan and other tests, which revealed he suffered a minor stroke and bleeding on his brain, which exacerbated his underlying traumatic brain injury. The Whitts said one of the brain bleeds is operable, while another one is not.

"These bleeds are causing pressure to build up and have now caused Mike to regress back to where he was a week after the accident. He is unable to get out of bed, cannot even sit up or roll over on his own," the couple said.

Victorino is also refusing food, water and oral medication. Despite the setbacks, the Whitts said they would remain by Victorino's side.

"At this point we have no intention of leaving Mike's side so please be patient as we will update as often as possible. Right now I am sitting by his bed and he is sleeping very comfortably on his own," the Whitts said.

The turn of events comes after a series of successful and well-attended fundraisers to help cover Victorino's medical costs.

Idaho State Police said Victorino was riding eastbound on the highway when he lost control and crashed, which ejected him from the Harley. Victorino was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, state police said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com or followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee