EAST LANSING – An online fundraiser for Johnny Lindstrom, a Michigan State University student and Leslie native seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. 127 Wednesday, has raised over $10,000 in a day.
Loved ones say the swell of support from more than 100 donors is a testament to Lindstrom, 25.
“He’s the best person I know,” said girlfriend Anna Giangrande, 26.
Lindstrom, who had just moved into an apartment in East Lansing and was about to start his last semester at MSU, was driving from his family’s home in Leslie to her home in Grand Rapids Wednesday night when the crash happened, she said.
Police believe a pickup truck struck two vehicles, including Lindstrom’s, when it was traveling the wrong way on northbound U.S. 127 near West Barnes Road in Vevay Township just before 10:30 p.m.
According to Mason Fire Department Assistant Chief Mark Howe, the truck struck Lindstrom’s vehicle head-on.
Police said a fire spread from the truck to Lindstrom’s vehicle, where he was pinned inside. He was rescued and airlifted by helicopter to Sparrow Hospital.
The crash is still under investigation.
Lindstrom suffered several broken bones, a skull fracture and a bruised lung, Giangrande said. He’s currently on a ventilator, but stable, she said, though he hasn’t yet opened his eyes.
“We’re so grateful he’s still here with us,” she said.
Giangrande started the fundraiser Friday morning to help with Lindstrom’s medical expenses and recovery. It’s been shared on social media more than 600 times since. As of Saturday morning over $10,300 had been raised. Find it here.
Sam Spitzley, 25, Lindstrom’s cousin, described him as “the nicest, most genuine, caring guy in the world.”
“He’s always interested in your life,” she said. “Always excited when good things are happening for you every time you see him. He’s everybody’s hype man.”
Lindstrom is studying construction management at MSU, Giangrande said, and had already secured a job at a company in Kalamazoo, where he completed an internship. He was eager to start, she said.
“You’ll be anywhere and he’ll see something and say, ‘Hey let me tell you about how this was built,'” Giangrande said.
Lindstrom is active, loves to cook and is a member of the Kalamazoo Wiffle League, she said.
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“He just has so many people who care about him and want him to get better,” Giangrande said.
That includes staff at Bestsellers Books and Coffee Co. and Vault Deli in Mason, said owner Jamie Robinson.
Lindstrom worked at both businesses, which sit side by side in the city’s downtown, for four years.
“He’s a good, good soul,” Robinson said. “The kindness that he always showed our staff and customers, he really is just a really good guy.”
“If there’s anybody who had a positive enough attitude to go through something like this it’s Johnny,” Spitzley said.
Contact Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ .
