Philadelphia

Hit-&-Run Car Found; Temple University Student Remains Critical

UPDATE: A teenager is in custody for the hit-and-run that left a Temple University hospitalized in extremely critical condition.


As a Temple University student-athlete remains on life support Thursday morning, authorities say they recovered the car that struck and critically injured the 22-year-old woman as she was riding her bike in North Philly Wednesday.

Police found the silver Mitsubishi Galant -- its windshield shattered -- on a North Philly street early Thursday morning.

The sedan is the vehicle that hit Rachel Hall, of Mullica Hill, New Jersey, at Park Avenue and Diamond Street around 7:25 p.m., throwing the student from her bike, and then fled the scene, according to police.

"It's unknown whether or not this 22-year-old female is going to survive these injuries," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.

Hall, who officials say was not wearing a helmet, suffered multiple broken bones and head injuries.

Her father identified his daughter as the victim Thursday morning from Temple University Hospital, where she remains in extremely critical condition.

A senior and honor roll student at Temple, Hall is the goalie for the girl's lacrosse team and has been named to the Dean's List every semester, according to the team's website.

Her father told NBC10 she wants to become a police officer and is set to graduate next week.

"It's just heartbreaking," said Carly Demato, a Temple University sophomore who witnessed the hit-and-run. "I just can't imagine if he got away with it, how terrible that would be for her family and her friends."

Witnesses told NBC10 the male driver initially stopped, but then sped away from the scene after a passenger told him to do so.

"That's preliminary information that we did receive," Scott said.

No arrests have been made, although Scott said they are searching for three teenagers who were in the Galant when the crash occurred.

A Temple University police officer stood by the victim's mangled bike, the back tire bent, as investigators gathered evidence from the North Philly intersection.

"It could happen to anybody and so it's like the reality of it is really scary," said Phoebe Smart, a Temple University freshman.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Philadelphia Police.

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