Manhattan Beach community honors DUI crash victims

Cassidy Olson, Mira Costa’s head baseball coach, led the effort to install the scoreboard behind him, on which Henry Pearson’s favorite saying, “Play for fun!” is painted. Photo by Willy Leventhal Local DUI victims Henry Pearson and Jon Wilhite, as well as their friends Courtney Stewart and Nick Adenhart, were honored in a moving memorial dedication Saturday before a large gathering at Marine Park. In April, 2009, three of these youths lost their lives in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, and sole survivor Jon Wilhite was nearly in death’s grip with his brain so swollen that he was in a medically induced life-or-death coma for nine days. But this tragic situation did not end there, as the local community, particularly the collective Manhattan Beach and South Bay baseball family, rallied with an outpouring of sentiment, prayers and fundraisers for the Wilhite family. The Stewart family worked with Vicki Maciha of Orange County Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and appeared on the “Dr. Phil Show” to raise awareness of the tragic consequences of driving under the influence. The Los Angeles Angels dedicated a section of the outfield wall and their season to Nick Adenhart, further…

Read this story on easyreadernews.com