TOWN OF NORTH ELBA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Kevin Maras of Grand Island is described as a true gentleman and family man. People close to him said they are horrified by his passing.
"Very grief-stricken because there wasn't a racer at the track that didn't admire and genuinely like Kevin," said Drag Program Race Director Sharon Hughes.
Hughes knew Kevin for more than 30 years from their shared hobby of drag racing.
"Not only was he willing to help every racer, he would literally give them whatever he had so that their car would run and I think he was genuinely happy for the winner whether it was him or his opponent," said Hughes.
Kevin, 50, and his family were driving near Lake Placid over the weekend and got into a head-on car accident, according to police.
His wife Heather, 51 and daughters Sierra, 18, and Ashley, 16, were sent to hospitals for various injuries. But Kevin passed away.
"I think all racers at the track would agree how friendly he was and he was always willing to help people," said Hughes.
Sierra is a teacher at Island Kids Child Care Center, which is holding a fundraiser for the family on August 29th.
The Lancaster National Speedway is also hosting a fundraiser for the Maras family Friday, August 23rd.
"The racers are a very close knit family, I'm hoping they'll be very generous in their donations, we're going to have a raffle as well as donations to help pay for their medical expenses," said Hughes.
Police are still investigating the accident.
