A fundraiser is being held Saturday in El Cajon for a marine who was hit by a 21-year-old drunk driver last weekend.
The story was reported by our media partner, the North County Times.
The marine, Gunnery Sgt. Dave Smith, had been waiting at a red light with his motorcycle in Rancho Bernardo before he was struck by vehicle driven by Jessica Bloom, authorities said.
Prosecutors said Bloom loaded her bumper into her SUV and drove off, after the accident, leaving Smith at the scene. They also said Bloom's blood alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit.
Witnesses followed Bloom to a nearby apartment complex where she was later arrested, according to the NCT.
Bloom, who faces nine years in prison on three felony hit-and-run charges including drunken driving, has plead guilty.
Smith, 34, is a 17-year veteran, according to the NCT, who was awarded a Bronze Star for valor, served four tours of duty overseas and survived being injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq.
Smith was put onto life support after the accident.
The fundraiser runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the El Cajon Harley Davidson and includes free food and a DJ.
