Benefit Concert Thursday Night in Del Ray for Family of Rose Cruz

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Evening Star Cafe is holding a fundraiser Thursday night for the family of local resident Rose Cruz, fatally struck while crossing the road. Cruz, 49, passed away Dec. 4 from injuries sustained after being struck Dec. 1 by a vehicle while crossing Mt. Vernon Avenue at W. Glebe Road. A 77-year old driver, who stayed on the scene, faces a Failed to Yield to Pedestrians charge, police said.

The benefit will be held Thursday night from 7-10 p.m. in the upstairs bar, the Number 9 Lounge, with live music from the Derds (who are donating their fee) and jars will be on hand for patrons to make a donation. The address is 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. (see map below).

The band will donate their booking fee to the fund that was created to benefit Rosa’s two young children, and there will be additional opportunities for you to support the family throughout the evening. In addition, the Evening Star has committed to donating an additional $100 to the fund if the band is able to raise $500 in donations from attendees over the course of the evening.

The benefit Thursday night comes on the heels of a fundraiser held last Tuesday by the Del Ray business community, which raised $26,221.35 for the family.

If you can't make it Thursday night, and you'd like to help, you can visit a GoFundMe page set up for Cruz' family. The online fundraiser has a $100,000 goal and has taken in more than $53,000 for the family so far, from 707 donors.

Cruz lived in Alexandria with her husband and their 10-year-old and 12-year-old daughters. Her 26-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old son live in the Philippines. Cruz worked as the deli manager at Market2Market.

PHOTOS: Derds photo from Derds Facebook page; Rose Cruz photo from GoFundMe