A young man in Lakeside who was killed after being hit by a truck while riding his skateboard is being honored by friends at a fundraiser Saturday, and the proceeds go to a scholarship to help other young skaters.
Daniel Donals, 21, was riding his skateboard out of a private driveway on Valle Vista Road on Feb. 11 when he skated into the pathway of an oncoming truck, according to California Highway Patrol. He died later in a local hospital.
A group of Daniel's friends are joining together Saturday to host a spaghetti luncheon in honor of their late friend at the Lakeside VFW at 12650 Lindo Lane.
Daniel's father, Christopher Donals, who lives in Arizona, said his son was survived by many, including his mother Krista, his brother Dill, sister Katy and extended family, all of which he shared time living with before moving to San Diego at 18.
"My son was articulate. He liked to speak his mind," Christopher said in an email memorializing his son's life. "Once in middle school, the counselor told me he would be a good attorney when he grew up because he liked to argue. I have held onto that through the years and had a goal to fund his college and encourage him to become an attorney."
Daniel competed in wrestling and swim in high school and even lettered for his participation, his dad said. And he enjoyed skateboarding.
"That was usually a bone of contention for me and him," Christopher said.
Local
The skateboarding, however, is what his friends in Lakeside remember him for best, and because of that, are raising money for a memorial brick at the local skate park and starting a scholarship fund to help young skaters in need.
The Local Skate Shop has joined in their efforts.
"He was a really good kid that just sort of stood out in the community," said Local Skate Shop owner Mark Johnson. "He was really kind to everyone. He didn't have a bad bone in his body."
Johnson, who said he plans to close the shop briefly to attend the spaghetti luncheon, just wants to see Daniel's memory live on in the skating community.
"This is our first loss for our brand new skateboard community," Johnson said. "The skate park is barely a year old, and this has really had an effect on our skateboard family."
According to the Donate Life Foundation, Daniel's organs were used to save the lives of four people in need and his tissue donations will be used to heal more than 50 others - something his father said makes him a hero, even in death.
"As a last heroic effort, Danny was able to provide life-saving organ donations by becoming an organ donor when he passed," his dad said.
To other skaters, Johnson said it's important to watch out for yourself and others to stay safe.
"Safety gear is always encouraged, but more than that, make sure you're looking out for yourself and your local skateboarders," Johnson said.
Ottavios Italian Restaurant is providing the food for the spaghetti luncheon, which starts at 11 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. Gift cards to local shops and eateries will be raffled off to raise funds, and food costs $10 per plate.
Daniel's friends are also requesting supporters to wear bandanas of any color in his memory, as he owned two dozen of his own, a trademark, if you will.
For more information or to RSVP, visit the event page on Facebook by clicking here.
