Austin Ridge, 28, has been upgraded to stable condition at Santa Rosa Hospital a week after being attacked and left for dead a block from his Springs home.
Ridge, who underwent brain surgery, is now out of Intensive Care, said his mother, Kimberly Ridge. His jaw has been wired shut, and he faces plastic surgery and a long recuperation.
Community-wide support stands firmly behind the young man who, his mother said, is “always happy, always smiling.” Friendly and optimistic, soft-spoken but quick to laugh, Ridge has already dealt with a major injury in his young life.
Eight years ago, a brain injury sustained in a car crash cost him the use of his right hand. Initially confined to a wheelchair, he battled back to make the best of his physical disabilities. Ridge became a familiar figure, tooling around the area on a custom three-wheeled bike.
He rode from 80 to 120 miles a week, with stops along the way to visit friends and Sonoma schoolmates at gathering places such as the Olde Sonoma Public House. It was there he was last seen before the attack, the night of Tuesday, April 24.
At 4:30 a.m. the next morning, his battered body was found by a newspaper delivery person in the 18000 block of Lucas Avenue. He was able to speak to detectives at the hospital, but could offer no clues. Deputies believe Ridge happened upon the wrong type person or people at the wrong time.
There are no suspects in the random attack. The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 565.2121.
As word of the assault spread, so did an outpouring of concern. “All the phone calls and emails, I can’t return them fast enough,” Kimberly Ridge said. “All these people asking, ‘What can I do?’”
An impromptu fundraiser at the pub, by way of collection jar, has raised more than $2,000. Ridge said one supporter is placing jars at retailers including Sonoma Auto Supply, Sonoma Aquatic Center, coffee kiosks and other outlets. “She can’t make them fast enough.”
A bank account, the Austin Ridge Special Needs Fund, has been set up at Sonoma’s Chase Bank.
Other fundraising activities include a May 5 effort at Cafe Scooteria. All proceeds from cart sales that day will be donated to the Ridge fund. The proprietors will not take any profit; every dollar spent will go directly to Austin. That evening, the El Verano Inn will hold a benefit with a DJ, music and food. On Saturday, May 12, the Blue Moon Saloon will hold a benefit with the band The Brain Eaters.
As the public rallies to their aid, Kimberly Ridge draws comfort and hope from Austin’s positive attitude in the face of adversity. “If someone was having a tough time, he’d say ‘Don’t ever feel sorry for yourself. Look at me and how far I’ve come.’”
Name withheld please!
I have seen some very shady-looking characters hanging around Sonoma, groups of 2 and 4 white men, in Maxwell Park, on the bike path (just off highway 12), sitting/laying around during the day or in the morning!
I ride my bike and it’s creepy passing them: they look dissholved, with paper-wrapped items in hand sometimes, looking as if they are up to no good. They look empty!
I do not look at them directly as I pass and they say no-thing to me; still, I find it odd they are just hanging; they appear to be in their late 20’s – 30 with nothing to do. Scary at best. Talking about profiling, yep this is what it is for young men appearing to be up to no good!