Benefit concert held for teen hit by car

Esther Ohayon, Orly Ohayon hit by car on way to Yom Kippur service

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds in the Jewish community honored a Jacksonville teen Sunday who is still recovering from a horrible accident.

A special benefit concert was held at the Jacksonville Jewish Center for 17-year-old Orly Ohayon. The Wolfson High School student was hit by a car as she and her mother, Esther, tried to cross San Jose Boulevard to attend Yom Kippur services.

Esther Ohayon died at the scene. Orly has since been in recovery at a rehabilitation center and said she's finally starting to walk again.

The concert was put together by Orly's 14-year-old neighbor, Ari Howard, who said he was driven to help the memorial service for Esther.

Orly and Ester Ohayon

"Orly is one of the nicest, one of the best people you'll ever know," Howard said. "It hit home on Sunday when I found out through the news. I fell dead in my tracks, I didn't know what to do."

It didn't take long for Howard to come up with a plan. Money was raised through raffle items, including an autographed guitar from country music star Alan Jackson. The money raised will help pay for Orly's medical expenses as she recovers.

"You should have seen my face, too, when everyone walked in here," Howard said. "I wasn't expecting all of these people to come in and support her. But it's a good feeling. It makes me feel proud of our community."


About the Authors:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.