Share this article:
Print

Benefit held for injured cyclist

Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

by SHELTON GREEN / KVUE News

kvue.com

Posted on February 25, 2010 at 10:27 PM

Updated Thursday, Feb 25 at 11:23 PM

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/
 

Share this article:
Print

To add a comment, please register or login.

Leave your comment
1000 characters remaining

Submit

We welcome your comments on this story's topic. Off-topic comments, personal attacks, and inappropriate language may be flagged and removed, and comment privileges blocked, per our Terms of Service. Thanks for keeping the comments space respectful.

Privacy Policy

HTML is not allowed.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Comments: Displaying 1 - 2 of 2

gtwn_mom said on February 26, 2010 at 11:35 AM

You go Mariel..we are all behind you and are happy for your progress you have been given a miracle and the miracle will continue...keep looking up for strength!!

38328806
Flag this comment

rugerp89ipsc said on February 26, 2010 at 12:53 AM

Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them. How terrible. I know from experience that having a loved one in a coma can be absolutely horrid.

38306689
Flag this comment