MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS — The Columbia University student critically injured in a hit-and-run at a dangerous Upper West Side intersection has been released from the hospital, according to a student blog at the Ivy League school.
Peyton Bell, a 20-year-old junior, was struck about 1:20 a.m. on Sat., Dec. 10, at West 106th Street and Broadway, the same intersection where an Italian jazz singer was hit by a car and killed in November.
Bell was released from the hospital Wednesday evening and will be going home to Seattle in a few days, according to a statement from Bell's family posted Wednesday on the student-run site Bwog.
"He will be back at Columbia for the spring semester," the statement reads. "We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the entire Columbia community — administration, faculty and students alike. This is a special place."
Bell had just gotten out of a cab and was crossing to the north side of the street when he was hit by a gray, late-model Mercedes, police said.
Bell, a rugby player from Mercer Island, Wash., sustained serious injuries to his head and was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
The car, which had the green light, kept going, according to police.
Both Bell and singer Daniela D'Ercole were jaywalking, authorities added. In D'Ercole's case, the driver stayed at the scene and no criminality was suspected, police said.
