Cycling community helps fellow brother

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Members of the cycling community spent Thursday afternoon collecting donations for an injured cyclist and demanding harsher penalties for drunk drivers.

Brian Lindquist , 27, was struck by an alleged drunk driver last m onth as he was cycling on Guadalupe Street near 17th Street. Lindquist is still in critical condition at University Medical Center Brackenridge with serious head injuries

Police said the driver, Truett Jones, 25, struck Lindquist and then dragged his bicycle several blocks before he was apprehended.

According to APD, approximately 26 percent of last year’s traffic fatalities were alcohol-related.

Supporters have come together to help raise money to defray the medical costs that Lindquist's family has had to deal with over the past few weeks.

"The community is really just offering itself up in support of causes and in particular Brian's cause. I think its a story that remind us all it can happen to you, it can happen to me," said Lenore Shefman, CyclistLaw Attorneys.

The cycling community also placed 67 crosses in front of their tent to commemorate all the traffic-related deaths in Austin this past year -- not just bicycling accidents.

Organizers hope to raise at least $10,000 for Lindquist.

Donations can be made through the "Support for Brian" Paypal account that has been set up through a State Bar bank account at Bank of America.

Another fundraiser to benefit Lindquist will be held on Thursday, Nov. 29. 

Details on the upcoming event as well as updates on Brian's condition are at Facebook.com/SupportBrian.