OFF THE WIRE
Anthony Leone
westchester.patch.com
Nearly 300 bikers come out to help raise money for 14-year-old Jake Vantrieste.
Nearly 300 motorcycle gang members came to Havertown Saturday afternoon to help raise funds for 14-year-old Jake Vantrieste, a victim of a hit-and-run accident.
Last month, the Haverford High School freshman was out with his friends when he attempted to cross the intersection of Township Line Road and Bryan Street while on his skateboard and wearing headphones when, according to authorities, the now former prosecutor with the Delaware County District Attorney's Office Michael Donohue allegedly struck Vantrieste with his SUV and drove off.
A week later the accident, authorities charged 31-year-old Donohue, of Havertown, with aggravated assault, simple assault, leaving the scene of an accident and other related charges and claimed that he allegedly hid his SUV in another residence in Roxborough.
The Haverford-Havertown Patch asked the young Vantrieste what he would say to Donohue if he was at the fundraiser.
"Why wouldn't you stop? You would know better. You know the law," was Jake Vantrieste's reply.
During what was supposed to be his preliminary hearing this past Monday, until a judge granted the deputy attorney general’s request for a continuance, Donohue would not speak to the media about his alleged involvement.
While some family members of Vantrieste and the gang members said they would like to see Donohue face justice, his father Kevin Vantrieste said that Saturday was a day for his son.
"I just want to keep the spotlight on Jake," the union electrician from Local 98 said clad in his leather jacket.
But Kevin Vantrieste did add that he wanted to know if there would be any charges filed against anyone who may have allegedly helped Donohue hide his SUV.
Along with his wife Dawn Vantrieste, they rode from Christine's Steakhouse in Philadelphia down the Blue Route and then onto West Chester Pike to the front of their house on St. Denis Lane with Pagans, Warlocks, Thunder guards, Bookers, 2nd Brigade, Vietnam Vets, Centurions' and other various motorcycle clubs.
As a few flurries started to fall, Dawn Vantrieste told the press that her friend came up with the idea of having the fundraiser, called "The Jake Run," to help raise funds for his medical expenses and also for the Special Olympics.
While she has not received a hospital bill yet, the therapeutic nurse did say her son's ambulance ride to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on the night of the accident was about $2,000.
Dawn Vantrieste said that her son's fractured hips have healed and that he had bleeding on the brain. In addition, she says that he suffers at least three migraine headaches a week, has short-term memory loss and his head is "fuzzy," resulting in him forgetting how to spell simple words.
"This little guy didn't deserve that," said Pagan member Dan Biggin, dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, which was underneath his riding jacket.
Biggin and other motorcyclists said they came out to help support the family and raise funds.
Dawn Vantrieste describes her son as an active typical teenager, who enjoys skateboarding, BMX bikes and motocross, but he cannot do those activities or even go back to school until CHOP clears him.
She said that he attempted to return back to school for a day three weeks ago, but it was too much for him and he was back at home by 10 a.m.
"He's been taking it one day at a time right now," she said.
But Jake Vantrieste only wants one thing, he said.
"I want to hang out with my friends," he said with a smile. "I feel a lot better than I did. Except for my head."
The teenager said he was happy with the day's turnout.
"I think it's great because it's for a great cause for me and the Special Olympics," he said.
Kevin Vantrieste gave the media flyers, which can be seen beneath the pictures, that provides donation information.
Donations can be sent to: The Jake Fund at any TD Bank and/or the Special Olympics at 307 Lenox Rd., Havertown.
Last month, the Haverford High School freshman was out with his friends when he attempted to cross the intersection of Township Line Road and Bryan Street while on his skateboard and wearing headphones when, according to authorities, the now former prosecutor with the Delaware County District Attorney's Office Michael Donohue allegedly struck Vantrieste with his SUV and drove off.
A week later the accident, authorities charged 31-year-old Donohue, of Havertown, with aggravated assault, simple assault, leaving the scene of an accident and other related charges and claimed that he allegedly hid his SUV in another residence in Roxborough.
The Haverford-Havertown Patch asked the young Vantrieste what he would say to Donohue if he was at the fundraiser.
"Why wouldn't you stop? You would know better. You know the law," was Jake Vantrieste's reply.
During what was supposed to be his preliminary hearing this past Monday, until a judge granted the deputy attorney general’s request for a continuance, Donohue would not speak to the media about his alleged involvement.
While some family members of Vantrieste and the gang members said they would like to see Donohue face justice, his father Kevin Vantrieste said that Saturday was a day for his son.
"I just want to keep the spotlight on Jake," the union electrician from Local 98 said clad in his leather jacket.
But Kevin Vantrieste did add that he wanted to know if there would be any charges filed against anyone who may have allegedly helped Donohue hide his SUV.
Along with his wife Dawn Vantrieste, they rode from Christine's Steakhouse in Philadelphia down the Blue Route and then onto West Chester Pike to the front of their house on St. Denis Lane with Pagans, Warlocks, Thunder guards, Bookers, 2nd Brigade, Vietnam Vets, Centurions' and other various motorcycle clubs.
As a few flurries started to fall, Dawn Vantrieste told the press that her friend came up with the idea of having the fundraiser, called "The Jake Run," to help raise funds for his medical expenses and also for the Special Olympics.
While she has not received a hospital bill yet, the therapeutic nurse did say her son's ambulance ride to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on the night of the accident was about $2,000.
Dawn Vantrieste said that her son's fractured hips have healed and that he had bleeding on the brain. In addition, she says that he suffers at least three migraine headaches a week, has short-term memory loss and his head is "fuzzy," resulting in him forgetting how to spell simple words.
"This little guy didn't deserve that," said Pagan member Dan Biggin, dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, which was underneath his riding jacket.
Biggin and other motorcyclists said they came out to help support the family and raise funds.
Dawn Vantrieste describes her son as an active typical teenager, who enjoys skateboarding, BMX bikes and motocross, but he cannot do those activities or even go back to school until CHOP clears him.
She said that he attempted to return back to school for a day three weeks ago, but it was too much for him and he was back at home by 10 a.m.
"He's been taking it one day at a time right now," she said.
But Jake Vantrieste only wants one thing, he said.
"I want to hang out with my friends," he said with a smile. "I feel a lot better than I did. Except for my head."
The teenager said he was happy with the day's turnout.
"I think it's great because it's for a great cause for me and the Special Olympics," he said.
Kevin Vantrieste gave the media flyers, which can be seen beneath the pictures, that provides donation information.
Donations can be sent to: The Jake Fund at any TD Bank and/or the Special Olympics at 307 Lenox Rd., Havertown.