Bike run, breakfast to benefit crash victim

Friends and family of Jason Pearson, 28, of Avon Park, who was injured on his motorcycle on Jan. 25, will hold a biscuits and gravy breakfast and bike run starting at 8:30 a.m. May 16 at Shooters Sports Lounge.

The breakfast will cost $3 per plate. Platters can be ordered in advance or just show up.

The purpose of the benefit is to help Pearson with his medical expenses. He is the son of William "Bill" and Debbie Pearson, owners of the Blue Crab Restaurant.

Pearson was critically injured when a driver trying to make a U-turn pulled out in front of him at U.S. 27 and Raley Road, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.

According to a previous report, a southbound 2002 Acura, driven by Inez Ramirez Sanchez, 39, of Sebring, was in the left turning lane for Raley Road, when the she tried to make a U-turn and veered into the path of the 2004 Yamaha motorcycle Pearson was riding.

With the motorcycle on top of him, Pearson slid about 45 feet along the pavement before stopping on the east shoulder of U.S. 27.

Pearson was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition.

"His prognosis was not good, but they were able to pull him out of it," said Cathie Beasley, a family friend. "He is doing wonderfully compared to then."

Pearson has since been released from Tampa and moved to the Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation, Inc. in Wauchula where he continues to undergo therapy for head trauma, Beasley said.

Beasley said she hoped Pearson had recuperated enough by the day of the benefit run that he could ride along in her sidecar.

Following a "Blessing of the Bikes" at 10:30 a.m., those who wish to ride in the bike run will start from Shooters, located at Sebring Square shopping center, and end up at The Mixx lounge, on North Ridgewood Drive between the Sebring Parkway and the Blue Crab restaurant. The charge will be an additional $10.

Last bike out is 11 a.m. and last bike in is 4 p.m., according to a flyer announcing the fundraiser.

Once at "The Mixx" there will be food, two live bands, a 50/50 raffle and silent auction.

For more information on the bike run and breakfast, call Cathie at 381-8490 or Christy at 273-0048. Donations can be deposited at Highlands Independent Bank branches in the name of Jason Pearson.