Benefit event hosted to raise money for Aurora motorcycle crash victims

Communities neighboring Aurora are still gripping with the tragic accident that occurred when a car driven by 51-year-old Theresa L. Manetzke, of Aurora, crossed the center line and hit five motorcycles.

The crash resulted in the death of 61-year-old Linda G. Anderson, 59-year-old James R. Olmsted, 28-year-old Kameron L. Hale, and a 17-year-old girl, all of Aurora. Seven others were seriously injured including 54-year-old Jesse W. Clinkingbeard, 35-year-old Jessica E. Zielinski, 35-year-old Cody J. Zielinski, 37-year-old Darrell J. Trueblood, 30-year-old Krista D. Trueblood, and a 16-year-old girl, all of Aurora.

But the families of those affected by the crash were not left to grieve on their own. Members from all corners of the community have banned together to deliver aid. On Saturday, June 17th, the Mulberry Tree Saloon in Marionville is holding a benefit event to raise funds for the families who are tragedy-struck by the crash.

The benefit is featuring outdoor live music, indoor karaoke, food trucks, and a silent auction. Barbie Phillips is the Mulberry Tree Saloon’s owner and she told Newstalk KZRG, “We are raffling off a 2019 Honda Fury [motorcycle], the person that’s donating that is donating $2,500 worth of raffle ticket sales to the benefit.”

Phillips also commented saying they, “have had just an overwhelming amount of support from Toyota in Springfield, Shiners out of Aurora, Jimmy Michel Motors, Marionville powersports… I mean we have all just gotten together to create as many benefits as we possibly can.”

The event starts at 11 am, the raffle starts at 7 pm, and the 8-ball pool tournament with a $20 buy-in starts at 8 pm at the Mulberry Tree Saloon.