Can a hit in the head cause asphyxiation?

In the news around here that was said as the cause of death. How would a hit in the head cause asphyxiation?

Link

Or was the news, wrong?

If he was hit in the face he could conceivably have asphyxiated by choking on his own blood, alternatively if there was enough trauma to his brain stem he would have stopped breathing.

Yes, it’s possible.

Thank you! I was stumped all morning trying to figure it out. I was set on thinking the news was wrong. Ignorance fought.