Fund For Columbia Student Hit By Car Raises More Than $150K

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, NY — The family and friends of a 19-year-old man critically injured by a hit and run driver in Morningside heights have raised more than $150,000 for his medical expenses.

The "Shariq Jumani's Medical Fund" was launched June 10 on GoFundMe. Jumani, a second-year student at Columbia University, was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street on Monday, June 5, police told Patch. While Jumani was in the intersection of Riverside Drive and West 115th street he was hit by a red sedan, police said.

Jumani was taken to St. Luke's hospital in critical condition, suffering from severe brain trauma, broken bones in both legs and internal bleeding, according to the organizers of the medical fund. Jumani has undergone open-brain surgery, abdominal surgery and orthopedic surgery, according to the fund.

"Shariq has been fighting for his life over the past several days, and we are seeing nothing short of miracles in his improving condition each and every day," wrote the fund organizers.

The money raised for Jumani will go toward medical costs from his surgeries as well as long-term physical and mental rehabilitation, according to the fund. Doctors believe that one day Jumani will regain "most, if not all, of his capabilities," wrote the fund organizers.

Before Jumani was injured, he was thriving at Columbia University, his friends and family wrote. Jumani had a 4.0 GPA at the ivy-league school, was a recipient of the prestigious Science Research Fellowship and took on a research position at Columbia University Medical Center.

"In short, Shariq is a gem. And his family, friends, and all who know him are just praying he be granted a second chance at being the blessing to this world that he naturally is," fund organizers wrote.

The driver who struck Jumani with his car and then sped off turned himself into police one day after the collision.

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe