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Hard to cover all the bases on this one. By all accounts, this fellow was trying to promote an event designed to raise money for a non-profit crisis center. The placement of posters on utility poles in the median would be one of 'our' targets(unless on private property). I wish him a full recovery and hope something good can come of this tragedy. At the risk of being insensitive, I also hope a lesson has been learned regarding the dangerous practice of placing spam in a roadway.
Teen who organized benefit is now its beneficiary after accident
Del Valle student hit by car while putting up posters for SafePlace event.
By Andrea Ball
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Del Valle High School senior Luis Cabrera spent seven months planning a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization SafePlace. Now that event will benefit the teenager, who was hit by a car Thursday night.
Cabrera was hanging posters for the CAR-dinal's Car Show and Concert when he was struck near East Riverside Drive and Ben White Boulevard, friend Trampia Guzman said.
The 17-year-old remained in critical condition Friday night at University Medical Center at Brackenridge in Austin.
Leaders of SafePlace, a nonprofit crisis center that helps victims of sexual and domestic abuse, say they want the fundraiser that Cabrera had planned to help pay for his medical bills. "It's so tragic this occurred," SafePlace spokeswoman Narissa Adams said.
Each year, Del Valle seniors work on a yearlong project. Cabrera decided to put on a car show for SafePlace.
The teenager devoted himself to creating a big event with music, food, family activities and, of course, cars. He secured event sponsors and persuaded local bands to agree to play for free. He promoted the event at local car shows and encouraged people to participate.
Cabrera took to the work naturally, Guzman said. He loves the local music scene.
"He has a lot of drive," said Guzman, a musician who became friends with Cabrera through the project. "He wants to do things in his life."
On Friday, classmates rallied around their injured friend, said Sandra Sanchez, an administrative assistant at the school who helped organize the show.
During a single lunch period, students collected about $900 for Cabrera's family. The home economics class whipped up more than a dozen plates of food, including sandwiches, breakfast tacos and cookies.
"He's just a great kid," Sanchez said.
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