Benefit Dinner To Assistance Road-Rage Victim

Josh Deraitus, an Auburn man and long-time King County Water District #90 employee was shot in a road-rage incident on Jan. 2 as he sat in his truck waiting for a stoplight to change in Federal Way.

On Friday, he will be the beneficiary of a dinner and raffle at Jay Berry's Cafe on Renton-Issaquah Road. The proceeds will help offset Deraitus' mounting medical bills as a result of the multiple surgeries he's undergone since the incident.

Deraitus lost his eye and received severe facial injuries when he was shot by a .40 caliber bullet on Military Road in Federal Way on his way to pick up his 4-year-old son.

Deraitus described the car involved in the road-rage incident to the Auburn Reporter. He recounted a black sedan or coupe approaching at a fairly high rate of speed as he pulled out of the intersection. The man driving behind him appeared to agitated and tried to force him off the road. Finally, Deraitus slowed to get a look at the driver. Instead, he saw a pistol aimed at his face.

Cathy Schrock, PIO with the Federal Way Police Department said, "Josh believes that when he entered traffic on Military in front of the suspect's vehicle he had adequate space, not anticipating the suspect was speeding and closed the gap quickly.  Josh believes he had adequate space to enter the roadway. The suspect was obviously agitated and certainly acted as if he had been cut off."

Since the shooting Deraitus has had multiple surgeries to repair the gunshot wound to his face, a process that's amounted to a stack of medical bills. Deraitus has been able to return to work, although more medical procedures are forthcoming.

“I’m getting better. I have gone through several reconstructive surgeries, and had bone and skin grafts that I’m healing from,” Deraitus said.

His next surgery is on March 17, and the process will take four to five months.

Deraitus gives a special shout out to his church, Ballard Mars Hill Church, that has supported him

“I have reevaluated my priorities and purpose in life,” Deraitus said. “This has been a learning experience. I believe that God has opened my eyes.  The Lord has given me a second chance. I know better now that the most important things in life are family, friends, and faith.”

Benefit coordinator Inga Flaherty said she receives donations and offers of support for the benefit each day.

 “It has been amazing to see the community come together to organize this benefit for Josh,” she said.

Flaherty also praised the owners of Jay Berry’s Café  who have donated their restaurant and time for the event. “They have been an amazing grace of God,” Flaherty said. “Without the staff cooking for the evening, she said, we wouldn’t be able to do this.”

Sema Calvo, the owner of Jay Berry's Cafe is donating the restaurant space and about eight of her staff to cook for the benefit, even though she doesn't know Deraitus personally. "It's just the right thing to do," she said. "He's a local man, and many of his friends and family are my customers."

The event on Feb. 20 is $15/adults, $10/children and includes a spaghetti feed, music and raffle to benefit Deraitus.  For more information, contact Inga Flaherty at 206-369-6178, or ingaflaherty@yahoo.com to donate items to the raffle.

The suspect in the shooting was driving a black luxury sedan, and is described as a possibly Hispanic man between 20 and  30 years old. If you have information about this case you should call the Federal Way Police Department at 253-835-6835.