Mariel's family requests: Be on the lookout for gray car with visible damage.

Update: Just got an update to the previous report from Mariel:

The police report said it was likely a gray SUV or truck.

What I said earlier about no vigilantism goes double as the report is changing. Don't fuck someone's car or truck up just because you see the shape of a cyclist in that door dent...

I just received the following request from a relative of Mariel Mentink, the lady who was struck by a hit-and-run driver over New Years. Read on:

I am the sister of the girl, Mariel Mentink, who was injured in the New Year's Eve ride. She is still in the hospital and in critical condition. I was wondering if you would put a call out to the cyclists of Austin to be on the lookout for a gray car with visible damage. The police are fairly sure that the person who hit her was a local, and, as a cyclist myself, I really think that the bike community can work faster than the police. All we are looking for is a license plate number and/or possible leads. Mariel has already had intensive leg and back surgery and will need a lot more hospital care. Finding the responsible person would not only put her family at peace that the rest of you are safer on Austin streets, but it also might help us get Mariel the best care through insurance claims without putting the family in financial hardship.

Thank you,
Christine

They're not advocating any vigilantism, but if you do see a car matching the description try to get their license plate, make and model info and send it to me. Who knows what might pan out.