❒ As community rallies, city police issue unsafe driving citation to man

By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

The Rellik Tavern has been the host of a regular downtown fashion show for the past six months. But this month’s show, scheduled for next Tuesday, will have a different twist, participants decided.

Organizers of the show will add a silent auction and raffle to benefit Lacey Wilson, the 15-year-old Benicia High School student who remains hospitalized in critical-but-stable condition after being hit by a van July 1.

In addition, 20 percent of Rellik proceeds that day will be donated to help defray Lacey’s mounting medical bills, said Tom Hamilton and Delando Pegan, co-owners of the tavern.

Other fashion show regulars are donating part of their proceeds, as well. One, Lisa Baer, a custom jewelry maker, said she’s upping her contribution to 30 percent of her gross receipts and also giving a piece of her jewelry for the raffle. Bombshell Hair and Ink, 120 East G St., which provides hair and makeup services to the fashion show models, also is participating.

Turning the fashion show into a fundraiser was an idea proposed by Laurie Key, owner of Piccolo, 636 First St., who with the Rellik presents the fashion events. “We do lots of fundraisers. Laurie and Piccolo approached us about this, and we jumped on the bandwagon,” Pegan said. “It was the right thing to do.”

Hamilton said Rellik employees endorsed the idea during a staff meeting Monday. “It was a tragic accident, with nothing but victims,” Pegan said.

He said he was saddened to hear of the accident that sent Lacey and a companion, Jordan Hebert, to John Muir Medical Center’s trauma unit in Walnut Creek. Hebert was treated for a broken leg and has since been released.

But Lacey remains in intensive care, suffered four skull fractures, other broken bones and injury to her brain.

Witnesses to the accident said sun glare blinded the driver, Bruce Ricketts, 49. His van struck the two teenagers as they crossed Military West at West Second Street.

On Tuesday, Benicia police announded they had wrapped up their investigation of the accident and would issue citations to Ricketts for unsafe speed and failing to yield to the pedestrians.

“Our investigation has determined that the driver of the van was at fault in the accident by driving at an unsafe speed for the conditions at the time,” Lt. Mike Daley said. “Even though we believe he was not exceeding the posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour, the conditions at the time — which include the sun setting and affecting the driver’s vision — required that he reduce his speed to the point where he could safely see if anyone was in the crosswalks.”

Daley said an arraignment date will be determined by the Traffic Division of the Solano County Superior Court.

The tavern is accepting donations of merchandise and services for the silent auction, Hamilton said, and Pegan said the establishment already has received donations of wines from several Benicia families. Donations also are being accepted for the raffle grand prize, he said.

“We feel as the event gets closer, more people will get involved,” Pegan said.

Help Out
An account has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank to help the Wilson family cope with Lacey’s medical bills. Contributors may donate at any Wells Fargo bank to account number 1814644546.

If You Go
The fashion show and fundraiser will be held at the Rellik Tavern, 726 First St., at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Donations for Lacey Wilson will be accepted all day.