Friends remember Rice after sentencing

GETZVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Just hours after Dr. James Corasanti learned his sentence, friends and family gathered at the very site where Alix Rice lost her life more than one year ago.

The people who put together Alix Rice's vigil said no matter what happened in the courtroom Thursday, they wanted to have a moment of peace to celebrate her life. That's why they decided to have a vigil the same night as sentencing.

Over 100 people came out to the crash site on Heim Road, in Getzville, to remember an 18 year old gone too soon.

MORE | See a photo gallery of the memorial held for Alix Rice

Vigil organizer Mark Callen said, “I hope what people take away from this is, we don't want to lose sight of celebrating Alix.”

Rice’s high school friend Mike Wilkowski said, “It's really good to see in honor of someone who was in such a tragic event, whether you knew her or not.”

Alix Rice was longboarding home last July when Dr. James Corasanti's BMW struck her. Thursday morning, the doctor was sentenced to serve one year for a misdemeanor DWI. But hours later, friends and family of Rice held a vigil at the crash site.

---

More on the sentencing of Dr. James Corasanti:

>> He will spend a year behind bars and was fined $1,000

>> See video from the emotional sentencing here

>> The judge considered letters supporting Corasanti, including one from the president of ECC

>> What will it really be like for the Amherst doctor behind bars?

>> Look at photos from inside the courtroom on sentencing day

---

The memorial was filled with people, some who knew Rice, and others who didn't. Many say it's a testament to kind person she was.

Rice’s friend from high school Ashley Glomb said, “It definitely hit me that this is the place she took her last breath. But looking at all of this and seeing everybody come together really bring awareness not just to her life but to drunk driving.”

Ashley said, “It really brings a smile to my face.”

Each candle lit Thursday night was purchased for $5. The money collected will go towards a skate park, to be built in Rice's honor.