Local teen crash victim remembered Saturday

A family that organizes an annual Christmas benefit honored a Palmer Ridge High School student who was killed in a crash.

John and Brian Gries have organized the holiday event since 2008 to provide gifts to needy single mothers and their children. This year, the Gries family planned a ceremony to remember Ryan Pappas, 18.

Pappas and Beau Begier, 17, died as passengers in a vehicle that crashed on Hodgen Road in Black Forest early on Labor Day morning. A third student, Jack Clark, was injured.

The name of the driver hasn’t been released because he’s a juvenile. He faces charges of vehicular homicide.

Ryan’s mother, Susan Pappas, attended Saturday’s ceremony with his brother and grandmother.

“What a beautiful thing it was for them to recognize that Ryan had contributed and that his spirit was beautiful and that they helped that grow,” she said.

The Gries family bought gifts Saturday at the Walmart near Powers Boulevard and Woodmen Road in Colorado Springs, then dedicated the event to Pappas and presented his mother with a banner signed by more than 100 employees and volunteers.

“I called her Tuesday and informed her,” said John Gries. “She was overcome with emotion and very happy. We hope it brightens her holidays a bit.”

Gries said Pappas was a volunteer for the charity event four years ago.

“We were shorthanded and Ryan was lifting boxes that were probably half his body weight, and he was just so dedicated and helping with his charity that night,” Gries said.

The Gries family and volunteers will wrap the gifts on Dec. 10 and present them on Christmas Eve.