Ybor City – In the early morning hours of Jan. 10, a tire blew on the sport utility vehicle Marcus Grubb was driving eastbound on I-4 near Plant City. The explosion caused Grubb to lose control of the Ford Explorer, which veered into the median, overturned several times and finally came to rest on its right side.
Grubb ‘s passengers, Figueroa Marzan and Kezra Johnson, were not wearing seatbelts and were thrown from the vehicle. Marzan died from his injuries later in the day. Johnson was not hurt as badly as the other two and survived.
Grubb also managed to survive the crash, but he remained in a coma for nearly three weeks. Now, he’s responding when friends and relatives enter the hospital room. And the entertainment community is rallying behind him and helped raise nearly $1,200 at a Feb. 9 benefit at Liquid Tampa in Ybor City.
Grubb was a shot boy at the popular bar and has made lifelong friends with most of the entertainers of Ybor City.
Alexis De La Mer, a close friend of Grubb’s, planned the benefit, and guarantees that almost everyone who frequents Tampa Bay bars has encountered her young friend.
“He was a dancer and shot boy at Flamingo last summer and has been a dancer and shot boy at Liquid for the last year,” De la Mer explained. “He also worked at the Saint last year.”
The benefit, appropriately titled “Brotherly Love,” was hosted De la Mer and Bryan Smith and included special performances by members of the House of Infiniti and Nicky Monet. Every performer donated tips to assist in paying Grubb’s medical expenses. Several raffles also helped raise money for the constantly increasing expenses. There is no cover to attend the event.
Currently, Grubb, 19, is recovering at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.
According to De la Mer, Grubb is responding to visitors, but he is still unable to speak. Anyone wishing to contribute to Grubb’s benefit fund may contact Alexis De la Mer through Facebook.
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