Fund Started for El Toro Athletes Injured in Crash
Sixteen-year-old Tomas Mejia remains in a coma one week after he and three other El Toro High School cross-country runners were injured in a traffic accident.
Two others, Carlos Marchan, 15, who suffered a broken collarbone, and Martin Pennell, 17, who had a broken cheekbone, were released from hospitals earlier this week. The fourth person, Andy Eads, was treated for a slight concussion but not hospitalized.
Rick Hagin, their coach, said that while classmates, staff and others at the school wait hopefully for Mejia to regain consciousness, they have begun a fund-raising campaign to help pay the youths’ medical bills. Mejia remains hospitalized at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana. Neither Mejia nor Marchan has medical insurance and it is as yet uncertain what portion of their medical costs will be covered by the automobile insurance on Pennell’s car, which was involved in the Aug. 26 crash near the school, Hagin said.
On Wednesday, an account was established at National Bank of Southern California in Lake Forest to accept contributions for the injured students, Hagin said.
El Toro High School Principal Jack Clement said some proceeds from school fund-raisers, including weekly bingo games and a Sept. 30 dance and barbecue, as well as part of the school’s share of profits from hamburger sales at home games, will be deposited in the fund.
Those who want to contribute, Hagin said, should send checks to the Tomas Relief Fund, El Toro High School, 25255 Toledo Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630.
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