Fundraiser Scheduled For Family That Lost Their House When A Car Crashed Into It

The family and friends of the Lukasiewicz and Blare family are holding to a fundraiser to help get them back on their feet.

They lost many of their possessions -- including their house, which will need to be rebuilt -- when a man drove a car into their home on Comanche Trail.

The benefit will be 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the LaMalfa Centre in Mentor.

Tickets cost $45 for adults and $10 for children.

The evening includes a sit-down dinner, desserts, entertainment, Chinese auction and raffles. The event page on Facebook has some additional details.

Anyone who wants tickets can call 440-221-8606. Similarly, anyone who wants to donate an auction prize should call 440-602-2026.

The entire family -- father Christopher Lukasiewicz, mother Tonya Blare, 3-year-old son Christopher Lukasiewicz Jr. and 18-month-old daughter Cassy Lukasiewicz -- all needed to be taken to the hospital after the crash occurred in December.

Fortunately, the family is recovering and all out of the hospital now. In fact, they recently got to meet some of the Mentor firefighters who helped save their lives.

Two banks have started funds to help the Lukasiewicz-Blare family. Both Lake National Bank and Huntington National Bank have set up accounts and are accepting donations on their behalf.

In related news, Daniel Vanderhoof Jr., 28, of Willoughby, is the man accused of crashing into the house.

He was arraigned on four charges of aggravated vehicular assault, as well as charges of drunken driving, driving without a license, reckless operation and fleeing the scene of a crash.

Police think both speed and alcohol contributed to the crash, Mentor Police Lt. Ken Zbiegien said. After the crash, instead of calling an ambulance or otherwise helping, Vanderhoof left and walked back to his house in Willoughby, police said.

His case has been bound over to the Lake County Court of Common Pleas.