AVON, Connecticut — A teen was riding his bike last Friday on Arch Road in Avon when police said a vehicle hit him.
Liam Shields, a 10th grade student at Avon High School, was then trapped on the roof of the vehicle for over four miles, all the way to Harris Road, where police said the driver, Alex Rivera, pushed him off.
Police arrested Rivera and charged him with reckless endangerment first degree, evading responsibility-serious physical injury, operating a motor vehicle without a license and two counts of risk of injury to a child.
Additional charges are pending while the investigation continues.
As Shields recovers from his injuries in critical condition, local businesses across Avon are stepping up to support the community that supports them.
“We’re going to donate at least 10% of all of our sales and possibly more,” Deanna Damen, owner of Cake Gypsy, said. “There will be a donation jar here and so if they wanted to put something in the jar that goes percent to the family.”
Along with Cake Gypsy, Puerto Vallarta also donated proceeds of its sales from Monday.
“I mean I personally had 35 tables from 5-9 so normally I have 10 tables at max so you’re talking about three times my regular tables,” Daniel Rodriguez, manager of Puerto Vallarta said. “It was awesome the community came back, supported Liam and then we gave back more than what we normally do.”
The fundraiser was originally for the Avon Boys’ Soccer Team which Shields plays on, but because people heard about the incident, even more people came to support.
“I took it really personal in the fact that people are so loveable they care of their own community,” Rodriguez said.
On Wednesday, prayer messages were collected at St. Ann's church for Liam and the entire Shields family.
A GoFundMe started by a family friend has already reached, and surpassed its goal of 50-thousand dollars.
Lisa's Luna Pizza in Simsbury and Crown and Hammer Restaurant will also be donating proceeds of sales on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Kaye Paddyfote is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at kpaddyfote@fox61.com. Follow her on X, Facebook and Instagram.
RELATED: Man arrested in Avon hit-and-run drove over 4 miles with bicyclist trapped on car roof, police say
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