Two events set to benefit accident victim

A portion of sales at Plums Cafe and a benefit show will help the recovery of Crystal Morales, 17, who was hit by an allegedly intoxicated driver.

January 20, 2012|By Britney Barnes

Friends of a 17-year-old girl hit by an allegedly intoxicated driver in December are organizing two events to raise money for her recovery.

FOR THE RECORD:
An earlier version incorrectly called Vanessa Orellana a show organizer. Carlos Najera should have been listed as the organizer of the February benefit show for Crystal Morales. Also, the band's name is MBD, not MBA.

From 5 to 9 p.m. Jan. 28, 15% of the sales at Plums Cafe, 369 E. 17th Street, Costa Mesa, will be donated to Newport Harbor High School senior Crystal Morales, said her friend, Alexandra Holbrook.

Alexandra and her friends have already raised more than $15,500 to help cover Crystal's medical bills.

"I just got really moved by the entire accident," Alexandra said, adding later, "We should be able to make her recovery process, at least financially, as easy as possible."

A February benefit show will feature the Yeastie Boys, MBD, Urban Terror, State of Decay and more, according to an email from Vanessa Orellana. Carlos Najera is organizing the show.

Tickets are $10 and already 150 people have signed up on Facebook. The event begins at 4 p.m. Feb. 11 at Hardcore Industries Warehouse, 776 Newton Way, Costa Mesa. Ticket information is on Facebook.

Crystal was walking across Irvine Avenue on Dec. 6 after school when she was hit by Marnie Lippincott, who is accused of being under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the accident.

Crystal suffered serious brain and internal injuries, and was placed in a medically induced coma at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.

She was receiving treatment from the Children's Hospital of Orange County and was recently moved to a rehabilitation center, Alexandra said.

"She's doing really well," she said. "She's able to have full-on sentences ... conversations."

Crystal is still struggling with short-term memory and will need months of rehabilitation on her shattered hip before she can walk again, Alexandra said.

Lippincott, 38, of Costa Mesa pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causing serious brain injury related to the crash. She faces a maximum sentence of up to eight years in prison if convicted of all charges.

britney.barnes@latimes.com

Twitter: @britneyjbarnes

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