More than 4,000 ride for slain trooper's family

Asheville, N.C. — A bikers' ride raised tens of thousands of dollars to pay for the medical care needed by a slain state trooper's infant son.

More than 4,000 bikers participated Saturday in the Fallen Hero Memorial Ride around Asheville.

The funds will go to support the family of Trooper David Shawn Blanton, 24, of Cherokee, who was shot by a motorist after he stopped a vehicle on Interstate 40 on June 17.

Blanton's son, Tye, was born prematurely two weeks before his father's death. Tye has remained at Mission Hospitals to be treated for a heart condition and needs a surgery to be performed at Duke University Medical Center.

The Asheville-Times reports that Saturday's ride raised more than $36,000, with more checks to be counted and cash still coming in.

Chuck Marsh, a DJ with 93.1 The Wolf in Greensboro, organized a 12-hour fund-raiser that got more than $13,000 in donations for the Blanton family, according to the radio station's Web site.

Memorial funds to support Tye and Blanton wife, Michaela, have been set up by several banks and churches.

Contributions to the Michaela Nicole Blanton FBO Brendan Tye Blanton fund can be made at North Carolina State Employees Credit Union branches. Checks can be mailed to SECU, c/o Michaela Nicole Blanton FBO Brendan Tye Blanton, P.O. Box 97, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The Blanton's church, Canton Central United Methodist, created the Blanton fund through HomeTrust Bank. Donations can be deposited any HomeTrust Bank branch or checks earmarked "Blanton Fund," can be mailed to Central United Methodist Church, PO Box 792, Canton, NC 28716.

Donations to memorial funds are also accepted at any branch of the Mount Credit Union and the Champion Credit Union.

Edwardo Wong, 37, of Ormand Beach, Fla., has been charged with first-degree murder in Blanton's death. Haywood County District Attorney Michael Bonfoey wants to seek the death penalty against Wong.