Church to hold benefit for injured bicyclist

By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

September 06, 2008 05:33 am

— ASHTABULA — A benefit to help an injured bicyclist with his medical expenses is being planned for Sept. 20.
Paul Rettinger, 44, of 321 W. 54th St., Ashtabula, suffered a broken leg, abrasions to the head and internal bleeding when he was hit by a car at the Five Points intersection in June. He was flown by medical helicopter to Cleveland MetroHealth hospital, where he remained for several weeks recovering from the accident.
A spaghetti and meatball dinner will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1820 S. Ridge W., Ashtabula. Proceeds will go to Rettinger for his medical expenses. Tickets for the dinner will be sold at the door or in advance: $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 12 and younger.
Diners also will be able to take part in a bake sale, 50/50 raffle, and silent auction with gift baskets, certificates to area businesses and a winning quilt from the Ashtabula County Fair.
Rettinger was riding north on Lake Avenue, crossing Route 20 while on his lunch break June 17 from Plasticolors on Michigan Avenue. He was hit by a Grand Prix driven by a 20-year-old Ashtabula woman, who was driving south on Lake Avenue but turning east on Route 20, Ashtabula Police Sgt. Ronald Kaydo said.
The woman remained at the scene, the windshield of her car damaged from the impact. She and her young child, who was secured in a car seat, were not injured, police said.
No one was cited, according to Municipal Court records.
For more information on the benefit for Rettinger, call (440) 997-1026 or (440) 964-5461.