A total of 13 people were hurt during the Isla Vista ramage Friday night including Nick Pasichuke from Alamo, whose friends started a Twitter campaign to support him with the hashtag #PrayForCheeks.
Pasichuke was in Santa Barbara visiting a friend, when 22-year-old gunman Elliott Rodger, a student at Santa Barbara City College struck him with his car and broke his legs, authorities said.
Pasichuke, a business major and water polo player at the University of Pacific in Stockton, was visiting his former San Ramon Valley High School classmate and water polo teammate Tyler Martin in Santa Barbara when the Rodger ran into Pasichuke and others with his car. He underwent surgery Saturday at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where the seven surviving victims were being treated. His Twitter handle is @CheeksDLegend.
Pasichuke on Monday was recovering at the hospital, where his condition was upgraded to "good."
Martin told the Associated Press that two friends were riding longboards near his home about 9:30 p.m. when a car suddenly came up from behind and ran over one and clipped the other. Martin ran outside to help and tended to Pasichuke.
"As I was leaning over and trying to comfort him - he was in a lot of pain, obviously - I heard pop, pop, pop," Martin said.
Pasichuke's sister, Katie Pasichuke, 17, said there has been an outpouring of support for her brother at their home in Alamo.
"There has been a lot of support from the community, people calling, stopping by and also on social media, and we're thankful for that," said Katie Pasichuke. "My brother was very lucky to have been one of the survivors."
Lots of that support came in the form of tweets.
"I'm praying for u cheeks," tweeted @Zachy_yK. "You was the homie in Video Prod. And just figured out you got hurt in all the madness. Stay Strong. #PrayforCheeks."
Others tweeted a photo, which appears to be Pasichuke at the hospital. The image shows him barechested, cut up and bandaged with wires attached to his torso.
