After Horrific Accident, Community Rallies Together for Ricky

After a tragic accident seven months ago that left 25-year-old Ricky Dahill severely injured, the Scotts Valley community is now doing what it does best and coming together to support one of their own.

In December, Scotts Valley resident Dahill was crossing the street in Folsom when he was struck by a drunken driver who ran a red light. The incident left him with broken bones and head injuries that forced doctors to induce a coma.

He has since come back to Scotts Valley and has returned to work at Leland Automotive, the auto repair shop owned by his father, Leland, but to this day he is still recovering.

On Sunday, July 22, will be held to raise money to cover the medical costs that Dahill and his family are paying. It will be held at at 2 p.m. where there will be food, live and silent auctions, music and dancing, and kids’ activities. 

“Overall, Leland and Ricky over the last 20 years are some of the first people to step in and give others assistance when any folks have a disaster or need something,” said friend and fundraiser coordinator Jeanette Larkin. “It’s really great because it’s been our opportunity to give back to them for a change.”

Larkin said the way the community is reaching out is truly incredible. The first day they decided to do the fundraiser someone donated a banner, another signed up to be the auctioneer, and checks started flowing in.

“Every day I go to my mailbox and I have letters and cards and checks. Some of them aren’t even from people who know Ricky,” Larkin said.

While Dahill has been recovering quickly, Larkin said the large amount of support that he is receiving has been overwhelming for him.

“It’s been a little difficult for him because he wasn’t in the public eye for a long time when he was in the hospital and at home,” Larkin said. “Now, he’s almost like a celebrity. It’s been a little overwhelming to say the least.”

In addition to directly affecting Dahill, the accident impacted his parents’ lives. His mother, Meredith Krulee, constantly supported Dahill through her physical presence.

Larkin said, “She never left his side in the hospital.”

Dahill worked as a mechanic in his father’s shop . After the accident Leland managed the shop on his own.

“Leland’s is a two-man shop. When Ricky was in the hospital, he had to take that on as well as being there for his son,” Larkin said.

The accident has also been difficult for Dahill’s girlfriend Erin Muhoberac who saw him get hit by the drunken driver.

“It was definitely an earth-shattering experience for both of them,” Larkin said.

The community is stepping up to support Dahill and his family as much as possible. Larkin said that a lot of very personal items are being auctioned off. Additionally, people without money to donate are getting creative by auctioning off themselves for dates.

Mayor Donna Lind and several other Scotts Valley public figures will be in attendance, and attendees will be able to bid on a chance to dunk Lind, Malone’s owner Patti Malone and several others in a dunk tank.

For the fundraiser there is no set monetary goal. However, Larkin said that she would love to raise $20,000. Through the online donation site they have raised $2,300 as of Thursday night. After the fundraiser on Sunday, the donation website will stay active for continued donations.

The donations will help cover Dahill’s medical expenses, including the physical therapy that he is still undergoing.

To donate to Rally for Ricky, visit the donation website. The will be held at , 4402 Scotts Valley Drive, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 22.