WNBA assistant and ex-NBA star Yao Ming’s personal coach severs arteries during bizarre attack on fiancée after she became enraged when he wanted to smoke weed in their Uber ride home
- Todd Troxel is an assistant coach with the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA
- On December 1, he was admitted to the hospital after severing an artery in his arm
- Troxel told police that the injury was the result of an accident while he was putting up Christmas lights at his home
- But his fiance told nurses at the hospital that Troxel flew into a rage and punched through a glass window at their home in Paradise Valley, Arizona
- Troxel and his fiance were arguing over whether he could smoke weed in an Uber ride from the Phoenix Suns game on November 30
Todd Troxel, an assistant coach for the Phoenix Mercury, was hospitalized on December 1 in Phoenix
An assistant coach for a professional women’s basketball team in the WNBA was reportedly rushed to the emergency room after he severed two arteries in his arm by punching through glass during a domestic dispute.
Todd Troxel, an assistant coach for the Phoenix Mercury, was hospitalized on December 1 in Phoenix.
He told police that he accidentally cut his arm on broken glass while putting up Christmas lights in his home, TMZ reported.
But a nurse at the hospital told police that his fiance gave a different version of events.
The nurse said Troxel flew into a rage during an argument with his fiance and punched through a glass window at their home.
Police interviewed the fiance, who told them the argument started when Troxel wanted to smoke marijuana in their Uber ride after leaving the Phoenix Suns game on November 30.
According to the NBA schedule, the Suns hosted the Orlando Magic at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.
Troxel allegedly flew into a rage during an argument with his fiance and punched through a glass window (above) at their home
Troxel severed two arteries in his arm, resulting in a gush of blood. The injury required surgery
After they arrived home in Paradise Valley, a wealthy suburb of Phoenix, the fiance informed Troxel that she wished to end the relationship.
She told police that he reacted furiously. He is alleged to have then grabbed her and pinned her to the ground.
When she stood up, he allegedly pulled her hand, causing her finger to be dislocated.
Troxel is then alleged to have followed her to the front door and put his fist through a window.
She then dialed 911 and took Troxel to a nearby hospital.
Police later told the fiance that there was enough evidence to criminally charge Troxel.
But she declined to press charges. She told investigators she would not cooperate and that her only wish was for Troxel to get better.
Troxel underwent surgery to fix the damage to his arm.
Law enforcement officials said Troxel’s status as a coach in professional basketball, which included working with the likes of NBA legend Yao Ming (left) and star Marko Jaric (right), won’t have any bearing on the decision to press charges
He has not been arrested or charged with a crime.
The Phoenix Mercury said it is still gathering information about the incident.
‘The Phoenix Mercury organization takes the matter very seriously and will provide further comment at the appropriate time,’ the team told KNXV-TV.
Law enforcement officials said Troxel’s status as a coach in professional basketball, which included working with the likes of NBA legend Yao Ming and star Marko Jaric, won’t have any bearing on the decision to press charges.
‘The justice system applies equally to everyone,’ Paradise Valley Police Lieutenant Michael Cole said.
‘We don’t care what your socioeconomic status or your notoriety is.
‘We investigate everything as impartially and fairly as possible.’
Cole said police are recommending that Troxel be charged with a misdemeanor, though the final decision is to be made by prosecutors.
Resources are available to those who are experiencing domestic violence or know someone who is. Please call the national 24 hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or 800-787-3224.