Last week, many of us lost a great friend, senior Daniel Martinez. Sadly, 17 year old Daniel and his cousin Jerry Rodriguez were killed in a terrible car accident on Granite Hill in Riverside. Daniel passed away at the scene of the crash; his cousin Jerry was sent to the hospital but passed two days after.

A candle lighting took place the night after the incident, just on the side of the road where they had crashed. All of his closest friends automatically came together without being told anything by anyone, putting together events to raise money for Daniel’s family. One of Daniel’s good friends made shirts for all of the group of friends that would all hang out together. The baseball T’s had Daniel’s nickname “Danny Gun” on the back, and his number 11.

One event organized by students was a baseball/softball game that was held at the Elizabeth Davis Park. Daniel’s family was there selling tacos and drinks for everyone. Each player had to pay $5 to play in the games. That event ended up raising a little over $1,200. The second event Daniel’s friends had was held at Leno’s Rico Taco, which netted over $900. The school’s Link Crew conducted a change drive and placed boxes in all of Daniel’s former classrooms. Interact sold $5 tickets to a breakfast they had serving pancakes, eggs, and sausage.  They sold about 160 tickets.

And just before the first homecoming football game started, they walked Daniel’s mother out into the middle of the field and brought her some flowers. And Daniel’s younger brother did the ceremonial coin toss. At the game, Daniel’s family was there selling tacos and drinks for everybody, as well as t-shirts with Daniel and Jerry’s photos on it. All these profits went to their funerals.

Daniel and Jerry will be missed by all his friends and family.