Trisha Bertussi still can't believe her best friend is gone.
At Ooh La La Salon in El Cajon, she clips hair as a digital picture frame cycles through photographs of Amy and Lance Heath. The husband and wife were two of five people killed in last Saturday's accident involving a Lakeside Motorcycle Club.
Bertussi said she had a special friendship with Amy Heath.
"I guess when you work in a salon, you kind of have a different friendship. We're all really close. We tell each other our secrets; our clients come in and tell us their secrets. Amy had my back no matter what," said Bertussi.
The Heaths leave behind two boys aged 14 and 13.
"You didn't see the two of them without their boys," said Bertussi. "And I think that’s what hurts more. Now they don't have their best friend. No of us do. Our best friends are gone. It's horrible.”
In the days that have passed since the accident, members of the Saddletramps Motorcycle Club have had to deal with their emotions while planning for memorials and services for their friends. They haven't been alone. Complete strangers have stepped forward to offer a helping hand.
"It's unbelievable and I'm so thankful for all of the support that we're getting. It has just been great," said Denny "Grizz" Humberstad, the vice president of the club.
He says he's still dealing with the heartache of having witnessed the accident.
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"Every night when I lay down, before I fall asleep, the whole thing goes through my mind. I picture everything that I saw over and over again," said Humberstad.
He says motorcycle clubs from across the nation have contacted his group sending condolences and offering to help.
"We're all a big family and when tragedy strikes a family you always pull together," said Humberstad.
The outpouring of support has also amazed Bertussi.
"I've had people that I've never even met before calling me, asking me what I can do, how I can help the boys. I think it's awesome. They touched a lot of people's lives," she said.
This weekend, numerous events are planned from memorials to fundraisers to a blood drive.
- Nov: 20: Saddletramps Blood Drive 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at San Diego Harley.
- Nov: 20: Funeral Service 4 p.m. at El Cajon Mortuary
- Nov: 20: Celebration of Life 6 p.m. at Barona Hall (1054 Barona Rd)
- Nov: 21: Memorial for all Families at Renegade in Lakeside 2 p.m.
- Nov: 28: Pat and Oscars at Parkway Plaza 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. Fundraiser (must provide coupon at time of purchase)
- Dec. 4: Studio B in Alpine (1347 Tavern Road) Cut-a-Thon Fundraiser from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Dec. 7: Wendy's Restaurant in all of San Diego County Fundraiser; mention the Health Family Fundraiser during purchase.
Ooh La La Salon at 1174 Broadway in El Cajon will have a fundraising sale of Amy and Lance Heath wristbands for sale for $5. They will also be taking Christmas Toy Donations through December 23. Food and Gifts can also be dropped at 630 Brockwood Drive.
