Upcoming Charity Events to Benefit Crystal Morales

The Newport Beach community is continuing to pull together to help Crystal Morales, the 17-year-old who suffered major injuries when she was hit by an alleged drunk driving in a crosswalk near Newport Harbor High School last month.

Alexandra Holbrook, a friend and classmate of the Newport Harbor High School senior, says recent fundraisers generated more than $15,000 for Crystal's medical bills, but additional ones have been organized to help raise more money.

According to Holbrook, on Saturday, Jan. 28 a dinner contribution night will be held at  Plums Cafe in Costa Mesa. Fifteen percent of the sales will go to the Help Crystal Foundation.

In addition, several local bands have also put together the Crystal Morales Benefit Show, $10 tickets are being sold on Facebook for the concert on Sat., Feb. 11 from 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. in Costa Mesa.

Crystal suffered head trauma, internal bleeding and brain swelling ain a crosswalk on Dec. 6, but Holbrook says she is doing better.

"She has been moved out of CHOC to a full-time rehabilitation center where she will begin her physical therapy and all other types of rehabilitation necessary for her recovery," she said.

Marnie Jo Lippincott , the woman accussed of driving under the influence and causing the crosswalk crash, to a felony charge of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, with a sentencing enhancement for causing brain injury. She remains out of jail on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court Feb. 17 for a pretrial hearing.

At last week's Newport Beach City Council meeting, Councilman Rush Hill said a plan is in place to address the safety concerns related to the crosswalk where Crystal was hit saying, "in a few weeks a flashing sign will be appearing there." 

In addition, studies of speed control devices are also underway, an ongoing educational program among students is in the works, bus parking will be relocated and parking along the east side of Irvine Avenue during school hours may be eliminated.