A 19-year-old Pakistani student, Shariq Jumani, of Columbia University clinging for life after a hit-and-run accident in Morningside Heights Monday, New York.
According to NY police,Shariq Jumani was crossing the street near Riverside Drive and West 115th Street around 12:30am when a burgundy sedan hit him and fled the scene.
Shariq Jumani was taken to St Luke’s Hospital with critical head injuries and a possible broken leg, authorities say.
NY Police say the student was in the crosswalk when he was hit.
He has undergone open-brain surgery, abdominal surgery and orthopaedic surgery for his legs, and still has a number of surgeries to go.
According to New York’s PIX 11 news, the driver turned himself in and was identified as Brayard Arno, 28. He is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated unlicensed operator and unlicensed operator.
Friends of Jumani were shocked to learn what happened. “It’s really unexpected because we all walk in this neighborhood pretty often, and you don’t usually expect to be in the middle of something so life threatening,” said Osmin Monber.
“I’m shocked,” said Sohil Patel. “I hope he’s OK.”
Meanwhile, family and friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help with Jumani’s medical costs. They have so far raised almost $126,000 of the $500,000 goal.
According to the page, the 19-year-old has been ‘acutely concerned about those around him, incredibly caring and always wanting to lend a hand to everyone who is lucky enough to know him’.
The page says Jumani is also excelling academically at the Ivy League, which he is attending on a full scholarship. “He also was awarded a research position for this summer at Columbia University Medical Center to do cancer research under the associate director of the center’s cancer division,” states the page. (PhotoNews/Samaa News)
