Benefit Concert Organized to Aid Family After 5-Year-Old Killed in Crash

NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A young girl, who was critically injured after a suspected drunk driver slammed into her family's vehicle last week, has started to show signs of progress. Friends of the family have stepped in to help give them a fighting chance.

Avery Stutts, 3, was upgraded to fair condition after family friends said she opened her eyes for the first time.

Avery has been in critical condition since the drunk driving accident on February 26 that killed her brother, 5-year-old Adam, and injured her father, Erik.

As the support centers around Avery's recovery, friends held a benefit concert to help the family.

"Everybody has just been wonderful and just super supportive. It's been tremendous," said Brandi Higginbotham, who organized the event.

Higginbotham turned to MySpace and Facebook to gather support for the Stutt's family benefit.

"Gotten calls from The Mustang Car Club, the support we've got from ADI, Sick Boyz Body Piercing, Digital Design, everybody has just been wonderful," Higginbotham said.

In addition to businesses wanting to donate, organizers were also able to get eight bands to play during the benefit.

"It blows me away that everybody just came together for such a tragedy and I've seen other things like this but never seen this much of an outpour so I thank everybody," said Daniel Stutts, the victims' grandfather.

The benefit took place Sunday at the Oklahoma City Farmer's Market. All proceeds went to the Stutts family to help pay for Adam's funeral costs and medical bills for Erik and Avery.

Erik Stutts took to the stage to show his strength to his family and friends.

"I'm just trying to be strong for Avery and pull through this so I can have my little girl back," Erik Stutts said.

Erik's father, Daniel Stutts, also took to the stage for his family. Daniel Stutts already sings his heart out to support the military men and women, but Sunday, his music was for the loves of his life.

"To know it's for my own family, I don't know what to say about that. I can't find the words to quite explain it," Daniel Stutts said.

Higginbotham said she wanted to put the benefit together because the Stutt's tragedy hit close to home.

"One of the biggest fears is something happening to one of my kids. I can't image what (Erik Stutts') feeling," Higginbotham said.

Donations are also being accepted at the IBC Bank in Yukon under the "Adam and Avery Trust Fund."

Police arrested James Opp in connection with the wreck. Police said Opp was drunk and under the influence of prescription drugs at the time of the wreck.

More on News9.com: 1 Child Killed, 1 Critically Injured in Southwest Oklahoma City Wreck | New Details Released on Drunk Driver who Killed Child