Fundraisers set for young accident victims

A Lawrence pizza restaurant will put on a fundraiser to support two teenagers injured in recent accidents in the city.

The Pizza Hut at 4651 W. Sixth St. will donate 20 percent of some purchases made Friday to the families of Sean Ragan and Erica Smith.

Ragan, 19, of Lawrence, fell from a third-story balcony early last Friday morning at Campus Court at Naismith apartments, 1301 W. 24th St. He was flown to Kansas University Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., where hospital officials won’t release his condition or confirm he’s being treated. The fall was determined to be accidental, Lawrence police said Wednesday.

Smith, 17, was injured in an Aug. 5 car accident on Sixth Street, less than a mile west of the restaurant. She was ejected from the back seat of the car and is in serious condition at KU Hospital.

People wanting to participate in the Pizza Hut fundraiser must fill out a slip of paper. Those eating at the restaurant or picking up food from the restaurant should fill out a form at the counter. People living in the restaurant’s delivery area also may participate, as long as they make it clear to the delivery driver, a store manager said.

Friends of the two teenagers work at the restaurant, said Shelby Doggett, restaurant manager: “We’re just trying to help out in any way that we can,” she said.

A benefit garage sale also will be held for Smith from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 4111 W. 12th St. Checks can be sent to the Erica Smith Fund, Central National Bank, 603 W. Ninth St., Lawrence, KS 66044.