‘People still remember’

A new painting of Danny Oates sits on his family’s mantle beside two photographs, a candle and two soccer medals.

The painting was given to the family Tuesday by a man they say they don’t even know.

The stranger, a friend of a friend, asked the family if it was all right for him to make the picture of Danny. The painting is just one of the ways community members have paid tribute to the Oates’ son. With the two-year anniversary of Danny’s death approaching, the family is trying to heal — but the jury trial of the man accused of hitting Danny with his truck hasn’t even begun.

Danny died Aug. 29, 2007, after being hit by a truck police say was driven by Jeffrey Woods at Indianapolis Avenue and Everglades Lane. Prosecutors say Woods was speeding, driving under the influence of Vicodin and Xanax, and texting at the time of the accident.

Since the death, friends and community members have come out in support of the family by keeping a memorial decorated on Indianapolis Avenue, organizing paddle-out ceremonies and having a Christmas tree trimming by Danny’s grave.

“It’s great. It makes you feel so good inside that people still remember Danny,” said Paul Oates, Danny’s father.

With the support of the community behind them, Paul Oates said the family is just starting to heal — but the process has been marred by the constant delays of the trial, which “kills” the family.

Woods has pleaded not guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, causing injury.

The next court date is scheduled for Aug. 17.

Orange County district attorney spokeswoman Farrah Emami said, unfortunately, it is not uncommon for trials to take a while to start, but they do try to move it along as quickly as possible.

“His family wants to see it go to trial, rightfully so, and so do we,” Emami said.

The family will show up at court Aug. 17, along with an expected 100 friends and family members who have gone to past court dates. Despite the outpouring, Kristi Oates said she hates the court dates, but hopes the end is near and they can finally finish healing.

“There is a part of me that’s hoping that he will plead guilty and let us all be done with this,” she said.

Timeline

Past: Fourteen-year-old Danny Oates was killed riding his bike after being hit by a truck Aug. 29, 2007.

Present: Weeks before the two-year anniversary of Danny’s death, the trial for the alleged driver, Jeffrey Woods, has yet to begin.

Future: The next court date is 9 a.m. Aug. 17 in Room C-41 at Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana.