Brookfield WCSU Student Killed in Hit-and-Run Identified

A 19-year-old Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) student from Brookfield, Dong Lin, died from injuries he suffered after being struck by a vehicle at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, university officials said.

According to witness accounts, the student was crossing White Street in the area of Hoffman Fuels when he was struck by a vehicle described as dark and boxy that then fled the scene, according to a statement issued by University President James W. Schmotter.

Lin, who was taken to Danbury Hospital immediately after the incident, was a non-matriculated commuter student enrolled in three entry-level classes this semester.

"Universities are more than bricks and mortar," university officials said in a statement released Wednesday. "They are communities of people, and so a loss like this one affects us all deeply. The entire university community extends its thoughts and prayers to this young man’s family in their time of sorrow."

Campus and Danbury police are working on the investigation, officials said. The Danbury police's public information officer could not be reached for comment.

The university's counseling center at 203-837-8690 will provide counseling for anyone who needs to talk about the incident.