11/16/08 — Hundreds of people, from close friends to perfect strangers, turned out to enjoy short stacks for a tall cause Saturday.
For roughly three hours that morning, crowds lined up at the door of Applebee’s Meadville for a pancake breakfast to benefit 24-year-old Meadville native Luke Dithrich, who continues fighting for his life in a California hospital after being critically injured while on his way to work at the Imperial Beach (California) Border Patrol Station on Oct. 27.
“It’s absolutely amazing to see all the support that the community has shown,” Dithrich’s sister, Becki Miller, said Saturday. “There’s been a huge turnout.”
Applebee’s staff collected the money to pay for supplies for the feast,
which means the $6 price of each ticket that was sold goes directly to Luke and his family, according to General Manager Martha VanArtsdalen. No exact figures on dollars raised were available Saturday, but VanArtsdalen said upwards of 800 people attended the breakfast, many of whom donated amounts above and beyond the meal price.
That translates into thousands of dollars raised to help offset the cost of what is expected to be an extended period of care and rehabilitation for Dithrich.
A 2002 graduate of Meadville Area Senior High School and former Applebee’s employee, Dithrich was on his way to work at the California Border Patrol Station around 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 when his motorcycle was struck by a driver traveling the wrong way at high speeds on Interstate 5 near San Diego.
Nearly three weeks later, he remains unconscious and in critical condition in the surgical intensive care unit at University of California’s San Diego Medical Center. The crash, for which the driver responsible was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, felony driving under the influence and assault with a deadly weapon, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune, left the young border patrolman with a long list of injuries.
The family recently explained that Dithrich was caught between the car and the motorcycle as it was sideswiped, leaving his left leg so badly mangled that it’s had to be amputated above the knee. His left femur, the bone that connects the knee to the pelvis, also sustained a compound fracture that has already taken several surgeries to repair. Both of the bones on his left forearm and several of his fingers were also badly injured. Also, when a recent CAT scan revealed that both his spleen and his aorta were punctured, his spleen was removed and surgery performed to repair the aorta. During his first 24 hours in the hospital, Dithrich’s family said he received more than 70 units of blood, which has put a strain on his kidneys and lungs.
“He’s hanging in there,” but “he’s had a few setbacks,” said Miller. “He hasn’t woken up or anything yet. They’ve just pretty much kept him comfortable. ...We’re pretty sure he knows he’s in the hospital.”
A blog site, lukedithrich.-blogspot.com, is allowing his family to keep friends and supporters around the world up-to-date on his condition.
“We look at his blog daily to keep up with his progress,” Greg Tatman, whose son Ryan is close friends with Dithrich, said Saturday.
“He’s a good young man trying to make something of himself, and this was a tragic accident,” said Tatman. “Hopefully he can pull through.”
All proceeds from Satur-day’s event will be deposited in the First National Bank’s Luke Dithrich Benefit Account. The account was established at the bank’s Cochranton branch, but deposits can be made at any First National Bank branch.
YOU CAN HELP
Deposits to the Luke Dithrich Benefit Fund can be made at any First National Bank branch or mailed to First National Bank, 128 W. Adams St., Cochranton, Pa. 16314. Cards or gifts can be sent to UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest, 200 W. Arbor Drive, San Diego, Calif. 92103, Attn: Luke Dithrich, SICU.
A blog site, lukedithrich.blogspot-.com, has been established to keep friends and supporters around the world up-to-date on the condition of the 24-year-old Meadville native, who was critically injured while he on his way to work at the Imperial Beach (California) Border Patrol Station on Oct. 27.
Local News
Hundreds turn out for breakfast fundraiser
- Local News
-
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
The City of Meadville’s soon-to-be-newest administrator is a familiar name in the area and familiar with the city.
-
Edinboro protest planned against proposed state budget cuts
If you’re a student or faculty member at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if Trevor Belz, a sophomore from Saegertown, shares some strong opinions with you in the next few days — and urges your attendance at a campuswide protest planned for Tuesday.
-
Local legislators: Corbett budget off to a good start
Elected officials representing Crawford County in Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives are gearing up for what looks like a lengthy budget process.
-
Crawford Central's Heller says new budget plan hobbles school districts
Area educators haven’t had a lot of time to mull over the implications of the budget proposal presented Tuesday to a joint meeting of Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.
-
District Judge Chisholm nears record for ‘longest serving’
Magisterial District Judge William Chisholm is in line to set a new record by becoming Crawford County’s longest-serving magistrate.
-
Traveling breast cancer exhibit to make local stop
The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition is bringing its traveling photo exhibit, “67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania,” to Crawford County March 1 through 10.
-
Judge Chisholm’s memories run deep
Looking back over his 26 years as a district magisterial judge, Judge William Chisholm has many memories of special events — even some humorous ones.
-
Fire guts historic Vernon Township building
“Another landmark gone,” Sandy Porter of the Crawford County Historical Society said as he looked across the street at the large red-brick building gutted by fire early Sunday just outside Meadville’s city limits.
-
No snow? Road crews have plenty to keep them busy
Patching potholes, clearing ditches and readying equipment for spring projects: Those are a few of the ways area crews have been keeping busy in recent days as Mother Nature’s decidedly spring-like behavior has caused road departments to start switching gears.
-
News analysis: Romney proves he's tough and adaptable
Mitt Romney’s resounding win in the Florida GOP primary last week is a warning shot to any Democrats who think the former Massachusetts governor will be a soft target.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position






