Loved ones raise funds for skate park

GETZVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - With Dr. Corasanti’s sentencing behind them, many of those who loved Alix Rice are making sure her memory is never forgotten.

Alix Rice may be gone, but her memory lives on. Loved ones are now trying to keep her light alive by creating a skate park in her honor.

Alix Rice loved to longboard. Since she can no longer do it, family, friends and the community are working together to create a place where others can.

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

Rice’s mother Tammy Schueller said, “I personally am in the process of working with a fabulous group of people. We're trying to build a skateboard park in Alix's name.”

The site Indiegogo says "Paradise Park" will be a safe spot for free spirited skaters. The owners of Phatman Skateshop, in Tonawanda, created the park proposal. They're asking the community to pitch in so the $80,000 dream can come to life.

Shueller said, “There's people in the community that have stepped up, that I never met before in my life, that never knew my daughter that have come out and rallied around to make sure that this happens.”

The community showed great support Thursday night when a candlelight vigil was held at the crash site on Heim Road, in Amherst.

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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

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Rice’s high school friend Ashley Glomb said, “It definitely hit me that this is the place she took her last breath.”

Last July, Rice was long boarding home from work when she was killed after Dr. James Corasanti struck her with his vehicle. Hours after the doctor was sentenced to a year in jail for a misdimeanor DWI, a vigil was held.

Glomb said, “But looking at all of this and seeing everybody come together, really brings awareness not just to her life but to drunk driving.”

Rice’s high school friend Megan said, “It's so relieving to see everyone come together for something like this.”

More than 100 people bought candles, the money will go towards the Paradise Park fund. Something very dear to everyone's heart.

Schueller said, “This is my project. That's what I'm working on. This is what I as Alix's mom vow to make sure will happen.”