Austin cyclist/writer killed in crash on 620

It was a text message Brad Houston never expected at this time, news that his friend of five years Andrew Tilin had died.

“He genuinely was a nice guy, very positive, always smiling, very focused outwardly on other people,” said Houston.

Saturday morning Tilin was on a ride with friends along 620, near Marshall Ford Road. Houston was going to ride that morning with Tilin, but changed plans.

“The reason why a lot of cyclists choose 620 is because it's got a wide shoulder, the shoulder is about 12 feet wide which is as wide as a standard lane,” said Houston.

DPS says an F-150 driving southbound hydroplaned and hit another oncoming car. That truck spun and ran into Tilin while he was fixing his tire on the side of the road.

“These riders that had been riding up from a distance had seen him from a distance changing his tire, they saw this crash, they saw the car go over and then Andrew was gone,” said Houston.

The 52-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital where he died.  His loved ones are remembering him as a joyous, loving dad, partner, and friend who was taken way too soon

“He was there because he was cycling but he didn't get killed because he was cycling. He was killed because he was an innocent bystander,” said Houston.