Two Benicia bars have announced fundraisers to help a local bouncer who remains hospitalized after being struck early Sunday by a motorist who left the scene of the accident.

Louis Miguel Torres, who provides security at Rookies Sports Bar, 321 First St., was walking home after stopping by Bottom of the Fifth, 498-A Military East, after getting off work.

Police say a Benicia resident, Erik Knight, hit Torres as he crossed the street at the intersection of East Fifth Street and Military East. Instead of stopping, Knight drove west on Military East, then left the area, according to a police report.

Torres was taken by ambulance to John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek.

Rookies has scheduled its fundraiser for Wednesday, during which 20 percent of all beverage and food sales will be given to Torres’s family, said Alex Storelee, the bar manager.

She said Torres was working at the establishment the night he was injured. “He’s really sweet, very nice, quiet and polite,” she said. “He’s a good guy to work with.”

Bottom of the Fifth will have a similar fundraiser July 2, said Sam Adams, marketing manager. “We will donate 20 percent of all gross sales for the entire day. We will also be accepting donations to send directly to the family.”

He said Bottom of the Fifth will open at 6 a.m. and have sales on domestic beers and well drinks during the early hours of the fundraiser.

“He’s a customer,” Adams said. “On the weekends when (Rookies) closes, he’ll come in for a beer.”

Having a fundraiser was an easy decision, Adams said. His family had a barbecue at the business after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. They’ve continued to help, as do other businesses, “anytime anyone gets hurt.”

Adams said he hopes people will be generous with their contributions. “I know what this family is going through,” he said, adding that donations may just be “a drop in the bucket” compared to Torres’s medical expenses. “Everyone feels helpless. We all want to do something to help out.”

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