Family of downed rider needs help

[BillJ]

On another forum, I posted a few days ago ( Back Talk: One year ago today...... ) about Eric Laufer's death on September 4th, 2008. His family has renewed their reward offer, and are making a concerted effort today, September 10th, to convince "America's Most Wanted" to air the story, and help find the driver who rammed Eric's bike from behind, and left him to die. The driver, identified as Jose Luis Dorantes, then dragged Eric's bike a mile down the road, before dislodging it from the grille of his SUV and driving away.

Here is the message I received from Eric's sister this morning. If you have a moment, consider dropping an e-mail to the AMW producers, encouraging them to help find this killer.

Dear Everyone,

I am trying to get my brother Eric on Americas Most Wanted. He was killed last year on his motorcycle by a hit and run driver. Eric's story and the experience my family has gone thru in trying to find the man that killed him has been one of a kind and a nightmare, as anyone can imagine. For those who are unfamiliar with Eric's story, you view the news clip below.

Driver accused in motorcycle hit and run in North Austin | News for Austin, Texas | Austin News | KVUE.com | KVUE NewsLocal News

I think that if we can get a lot of people together to email Americas Most Wanted on the same day, it would help to get him on the show. If you could please take a few moments of your time on Thursday, September 10th to send a quick email to the following AMW contacts lheflin@amw.com , amann@amw.com , skatz@amw.com , vking@amw.com My family and I would appreciate it. Please include in your letter: "Eric Laufer Story", a quick message on how Eric or his story has made an impact on you and how you think airing Eric's story on the show can help catch his killer. Please make sure your email is sent on Thursday, September 10th so we can make an impact.

Below is an example email if you need help writing one:

Dear AMW,

The story of Eric Laufer’s hit and run motorcycle homicide is one that will stick with me forever. I knew Eric; he was very … say something nice about Eric …etc / or I never got to meet Eric but cannot imagine what his family has gone thru; his story is …say your reaction/opinion on Eric’s story. I think airing Eric’s story on Americas Most Wanted will help find his killer because; all information has not been released to the public nationwide. Please help Eric’s family find his killer and run his story on AMW.

Thank you

Sender

If you do not have time to write a letter ANYTHING will help. Even if it is one or two lines.. For example: I heard about Eric's story and I am outraged! I would like to see his story on your show.

My family and I thank you very much for your efforts. Please forward this email onto as many people as possible. We can use all the help we can get!

Thank you

Sara Laufer

As a survivor of my own hit-and-run last October, this issue is very personal to me. However, I would think it's personal to everyone who rides, or loves someone who rides. This cold-blooded killer needs to be found, and taken off the streets. Today, with just an e-mail or two, you can help. Please do.

[BillJ]

NO MORE E-MAILS NEEDED!!! WE DID IT!!!

Just got this message from Eric's sister:

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR HELPING!!
The show producers have contacted me and we are working towards getting Eric's story on the show!!!!!! Great job everyone!! They have asked me to have everyone STOP sending the emails because it is soo overwhelming. If you could pass this info on that would be great!
WHEEWWWW HOOOOO!!!!
THANK YOU!
SARA LAUFER

Thanks, all!

[JohnnyZ]

I am sorry that I only now just read this thread and couldn't participate, but I am very glad to see that the email campaign worked. Please keep us informed (I'm sure you will) on details of the show's airing. Looking forward to it...

[BillJ]

Here's the most recent update I could find. Unfortunately, despite assurances from AMW producers, there's still no mention of Eric's case on AMW's website:
AMW | America's Most Wanted | Browse Fugitives by Last Name | Letter D

I will, of course, post news as I get it.

A hunt for Eric Laufer's killer
Boston Herald, September 13, 2009

A Rockland woman seeking justice for her brother, who was killed by an undocumented immigrant while riding his motorcycle in Texas, now has "America's Most Wanted" helping her hunt for the fugitive.

Eric Laufer, 25, a guitarist and Berklee College of Music graduate, died when an SUV struck his 2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster on an Austin, Texas, highway the night of Sept. 4. The impact was so severe it tore Eric's heart from its vascular attachments, according to a medical examiner's report.

Frustrated after a full year without an arrest, Laufer's sister, Sara, started a mass e-mail campaign last Thursday, using Facebook and MySpace to try to get the unsolved case featured on "America's Most Wanted."

That afternoon, a producer from the popular Fox program called and agreed to look into Eric's tale. He even implored Sara to stop the e-mailers from flooding his system.

"I really want Jose Luis Dorantes (the wanted man) to know who Eric is and that Eric is a person and not just someone who he left on the side of the road," said Sara, 30.

Dragged for a mile

Austin Police traced the license plate they found wedged in the wreckage of Eric's bike to a 1995 GMC Yukon SUV. The vehicle's owner told authorities Dorantes had borrowed it, but he did not know the driver's whereabouts.

Just months earlier, Dorantes was issued a citation for running a stop sign and driving without a license and insurance, records show. That's where the paper trail ends.

"We don't have any positive ID," said Austin Police Detective Chad Francois. "We've already tried immigration, customs. They have no record of him existing." Francois said the authorities believe Dorantes was in the United States illegally.

"I just want to talk to the guy," Francois said. "I only have Eric's side, what the evidence shows."

Details from the crash reveal that Laufer's motorcycle was dragged by the SUV for more than a mile. His body was found 500 feet from the site of impact. A witness saw the Yukon dragging the Sportster as it sped down a highway ramp.

The hit-and-run driver was "pushing the motorcycle at highway speeds," Francois said. "The guy would have to be blind or deaf to not know what happened."

Sister on a mission

Francois said Sara Laufer is determined to find answers.

"She has put things out on the Spanish-speaking radio and TV," he said.

"We call her 'Dog Chapman,' " said her father, David Laufer, comparing his daughter to the star of the reality show, "Dog the Bounty Hunter."

Boston became Sara and Eric's adoptive home when they moved East from West Seneca, N.Y., after Eric enrolled at Berklee in 2002.

A talented guitarist, Eric and his band, The Two Timin' Three, became a staple in Boston's small rockabilly scene, playing clubs like T.T. the Bear's and the Middle East.

The group moved to Austin in 2005 and became The Two Timin' Four. Their star was on the rise, and they opened for the legendary Jerry Lee Lewis and rockabilly star Big Sandy.

The night of the crash Eric was coming home from a show in San Antonio, an hour from Austin. He had been riding motorcycles and playing music since his early youth, family members say, two passions he shared with his father.

"Eric was a safe rider. Most kids want a crotch rocket, he just wanted a cruiser," David said. "In Texas, you don't need a helmet. When they found his body he had all his gear on."

Eric's beloved Sportster was nearly demolished in the crash, but his family was able to have it restored.

"We couldn't let it sit in the scrap yard, so we had it shipped back from Texas," David said. "I have his goggles on the front so he rides around with me now."

Sara said "America's Most Wanted" will feature Eric's story on its Web site this October and will try to develop it into an episode.

The Laufers are offering a $5,000 reward to find Dorantes. E-mail: ericlauferstory@yahoo.com.