Austin's cycling community showed up in force Thursday night to an east Austin establishment called Shangri La.
Band after band did a set in a benefit fundraiser for Mariel Mentink from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m.
The 24-year old Chicago native had recently moved to Austin when she was struck by a driver who kept going.
Mentink was riding with another cyclist on east Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard near Airport Boulevard early New Year's Day.
Matt Johnson, the cyclist Mentink was riding with, only remembers seeing a large grey either truck or SUV hitting Mentink, catapulting her into the air.
Mentink suffered multiple skull fractures, a broken tibia and fibula and was in a coma for weeks.
A seamstress by trade, Mentink is now in a rehab facility learning to walk and talk again.
On Wednesday family members say Mentink took her first steps since the accident.
Mariel Mentink is on her parent's insurance right now, however Thursday's benefit was trying to raise $50,000 to help her with long term care.
If you'd like to help Mariel click here: http://www.supportmarielmentink.com/


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