Saturday fund-raiser to help family of auto accident victim
Ken Resendez grew up in a house where special-needs children were the norm.
His mom took care of them and now his wife does as well.
When he heard about the accident that took the life of Albert Rodriguez, he said his heart went out to the teenager’s family. So he helped organize a fund-raiser beginning at noon Saturday at the Tracy Safeway shopping center, 1801 11th St.
He asks people to come by and give cash, but anything will help.
“I called the family to see if they wanted help and the mother came by and talked to me,” he said. “The first thing I did was make sure this was legit.”
Rodriguez, 19, who was born with a learning disability, was killed on April 17 when he was struck by a car driven by Marcus Tyner.
Tyner was driving eastbound on Fabian Road that evening at about 30 mph, but his attention was distracted, according to police reports.
Tyner told police he felt something hit his car and when he looked in his rear view mirror, he saw someone lying in the road behind him.
Rodriguez was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek with a skull fracture and severe brain injury. He remained on life support so five other people could benefit from transplants of his lungs, kidneys and heart, said his mother, Paula Rodriguez.
Last week, Tyner pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter. A no-contest plea results in a conviction, but the plea cannot be used against him in a civil suit, according to court documents.
In exchange for his plea, he was sentenced to three years probation; 180 days in county jail, with 90 days suspended; a $750 fine; $110 in restitution and a $20 court fee, the court documents show.
Rodriguez said she was shocked to learn the charge of driving without auto insurance was dropped.
“I just don’t think justice has been served at all,” Rodriguez said. “I was totally disappointed with the decision. What can we do? We have to fight and fight until we get heard.”
Kevin Hyatt, Tyner’s attorney, said his client was enrolled in an alternative work program, where he’ll spend his jail time out of custody but working everyday for the county.