Friends of the five motorcyclists killed in Penn Township last month will hold a benefit ride for the sole survivor of the horrific crash, Kristin Skowood.

The "Ride for Kristin" will be held Sunday, Aug. 8, beginning at 11 a.m. at the New Holland American Legion at 35 S. Hoover Ave. The ride will last an hour and a half to two hours.

"We are just going to take a scenic route and we'll end up driving past the accident scene," said Ashley Wharton, Skowood's best friend.

The crash occurred on June 27 when a Harrisburg City Cab van collided with three Harley-Davidson motorcycles, each carrying a driver and passenger. It happened on Route 72 in Penn Township, just north of East Petersburg.

Killed were Joshua Pennington, 27, of East Earl; Linda Lapp and her husband, Samuel, both 48 and residents of New Holland; and Amy Wilhelm, 50, and her husband Dennis "Butch," 43, of Manheim Township.

Skowood, 27, of East Earl Township, was the only survivor. The daughter of Linda Lapp and fiancé to Pennington, she is still recovering from serious injuries at a Lancaster rehabilitation hospital.

The Lancaster County Major Crash Investigation Unit, a team of experts assembled by District Attorney Craig Stedman in 2009, is investigating the cause of the accident. But it could be weeks before they reach a conclusion.

Wharton said she expects between 200 and 500 motorcyclists to participate in the benefit ride. The cost is $15 per driver and $10 per rider.

Registration will be held from 8:30 to 9 a.m.

A chicken barbecue lunch and raffle will be held at the New Holland American Legion post at 1 p.m., following the ride. A $5 donation will be asked. Those who are not participating in the motorcycle ride are invited.

tmurse@lnpnews.com