Lake Travis View

By Eleni Himaras
The Rotary Raffle Mercedes that’s been sitting in front of the Starbucks next to Randall’s on RR 620 can add a few scrapes and dents to its impressive list of features.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old male driving a green ‘99 Mazda pick-up truck hit the car advertising Rotary’s upcoming annual raffle on Oct. 20. 

“Apparently he was in the parking place next to the red Mercedes, with both of them legally parked and when he backed out of the place, he swung the front end to quick and struck the right rear quarter panel,” said Police Chief Gordon Bowers. 

A witness saw the accident and called Rotary member Barker Keith, who in turned called the police. Police Officer Eric Barto responded to the call and found the alleged-offending car in the parking lot. Since the driver of the car did not call police himself or leave his information on the car, Bowers said he still may be charged with a hit and run. 

“The case is still under investigation and that could result,” he said.

The driver of the truck did not have insurance but since was on private property, there is no criminal offense. 

“The damage is on the right rear wheel well and is not that noticeable,” Keith said via e-mail. “The body shop says that it should be under $2,000 to repair.”

In recent years, Mercedes Benz of Austin has given the local Rotary club a car to generate interest in its annual raffle, which raises scholarship money for Lake Travis area college-bound seniors and other charities. The display car is not actually auctioned off. The winner of the prize receives a gift certificate for $34,169 — the price of a 2009 Mercedes C-300. The prize also includes a travel voucher for two to Germany for a five-day visit with a tour of the Mercedes manufacturing plant and the chance to pick out a new car as part of the European Delivery Black Forest Package.

The $100 raffle tickets are on sale at laketravisrotary.org, the American Bank of Texas, Prosperity Bank, American Bank, Turnquist Partners, Guy Oberg Properties, the Lakeway Aquatic Wellness Center or through any Rotarian. Tickets may be purchased until the drawing at Carlos N’ Charlies at 6 p.m. Nov. 6. Entry is free for ticket-holders and $25 for non-ticket holders.