Supporters will ride together in a criterium-style group Tuesday to raise money for Keith and Catherine Anfenson, who are recovering from broken bones and other injuries.
Terrell Brown, a friend of the Anfensons, said he created the event because Keith doesn’t receive disability benefits and with a broken back, he estimates he’ll be out of work for at least several months.
“When I heard this happened, I wanted to do everything I could to try and help out,” Brown said.
A car struck the Anfensons Saturday near Lower Buckeye Road and Jack Rabbit Trail when the driver reportedly was blinded by the morning sun, according to CBS 5 News.
Brown said Catherine is in critical condition with six broken ribs and punctured lungs while Keith is in intensive care with broken ribs, a broken pelvis, a broken collarbone, broken bones in his back and bruising of the brain.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office cited the driver for failure to control speed according to CBS5 news.
Catherine, a teaching assistant, and Keith, a welder, have a young daughter and Brown said it’s going to be difficult with both parents in the hospital.
“She is going to need help to and from school, but everything stretches time available when two parents are taken out at the same time,” Brown said.
The ride, which is located off of Litchfield Road and Interstate 10, will start at 6 p.m. followed by a quick race at 7 p.m. Keith’s father will be there to thank all the riders for their support while Keith and Catherine recover, Brown said.
“It really is overwhelming to see the amount of support that has come from the community as a whole,” Brown said. “People really do care, and cyclists are literally the best kind of people out there.”
Brown has set up a page to contribute to the couple’s medical expenses here.