mobanmarketAVON/CANTON/SIMSBURY, CT — The community support for an Avon High School sophomore critically injured in an accident last Friday continues to grow and it’s expanding beyond the town’s borders.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, fundraisers will take place at restaurants in Canton and Simsbury to benefit the family of AHS sophomore Liam Shields, with a prayer vigil at an Avon church for Shields slated for Wednesday night, Oct. 9.
Shields was badly hurt Oct. 4 when the bicycle he was riding was struck by a hit-and-run motorist on Arch Road in Avon, where he remained on the roof of the vehicle for 4 miles.
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The driver stopped the Subaru Forester he was driving, pushed Shields off the car, and then fled the scene, the Avon Police Department said.
This incident has shocked the local community and spawned a massive outpouring of community support for Shields and his family.
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This includes support from Lisa Ledwith Maurer, who owns the Crown and Hammer Restaurant & Pub in Canton, and Lisa’s Luna Pizza in Simsbury.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, a portion of the proceeds of all sales at both restaurants will go to the family of Shields, who is facing a very long recovery, Maurer said.
So far, a GoFundMe page has been set up for Shields’ family and donations are pouring in, with more than $46,000 raised toward the $50,000 goal as of Wednesday morning.
Lisa’s Luna Pizza is located at 530 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury, while the Crown and Hammer Restaurant & Pub is located at 3 Depot St., Collinsville (Canton).
“Liam was involved in a terrible hit and run accident … and can use our support,” wrote Maurer. “So on Thursday grab some pizza at Luna and a burger and a beer at Crown and a portion of the total sales for the day will go directly to his family.”
In addition to the fundraisers on Thursday, the Church of St. Ann in Avon is hosting a special candlelight prayer service for Shields and his family on Wednesday night, Oct. 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
“There will be a basket on the altar to leave written prayer intentions,” wrote the church via Facebook. “The intentions will be delivered to the family.”
The church is located at 289 Arch Road, Avon.
Suspect still in custody
Meanwhile, the suspect charged in connection with the accident remains in police custody and no bail has been set, according to online court records Wednesday morning.
Avon police said Alex Joel Rivera, 29, has been charged with first-degree reckless endangerment; evading responsibility for serious physical injury; operating a motor vehicle without a license; and two counts of risk of injury to a child.
Avon police have said further charges may be pending.
Rivera appeared in Hartford Superior Court Monday, with his next court appearance slated for Nov. 4 in Hartford.
The situation started Friday night, Oct. 4, at about 9:16 p.m. when police were called to investigate debris in the roadway.
Arriving police found the teen’s damaged bicycle, loose amounts of candy, and a cell phone in the road, police said.
At the time, police said the bicyclist could not be found, with Arch Road temporarily closed for investigation.
Shortly afterward, police received a call from a witness reporting an injured juvenile on the side of the roadway at 73 Harris Road.
That’s when police determined the injured teen was, indeed, the bicyclist struck 4 miles away.
Anyone with information on the accident can contact the Avon Police Department at 860-409-4200.
To donate to a GoFundMe page set up for the teen’s family, click on this link.
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From Oct. 8: ‘Avon Teen Carried 4 Miles On Roof Of Vehicle After Crash: Police’
From Oct. 7: ‘GoFundMe Set Up To Help Avon Teen’s Family After Serious Accident’
From Oct 5: ‘Man Charged In Hit-And-Run Accident In Avon Involving Bicyclist’
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