A Long Island College Student in Critical Condition After Hit-and-Run Incident
A Long Island college student, Alexa Kropf, is fighting for her life after a dirt biker smashed into her near her upstate university campus, leaving her with brain injuries just two weeks before she was set to head home for the summer.
The 18-year-old freshman at the University of Albany was struck by the deranged motorist at around 12:30 a.m. in the Pine Hills neighborhood, known for its college social scene. The driver fled the scene without stopping.
Alexa suffered brain swelling and multiple fractures to her leg and pelvis, leading doctors to place her in a medically induced coma at Albany Medical Center Hospital. She underwent two surgeries to remove blood and fluid from around her brain.
Her father, Jim Kropf, stated in an interview with Times Union that the next few days are crucial as family and friends pray for her speedy recovery.
According to police, Alexa was hit by a male riding a dirt bike on Hudson Avenue who was weaving through groups of people at a high speed when he collided with her.
The college freshman was thrown several feet away from the impact, and the motorist fled the scene before Albany Police arrived.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Police Chief Eric Hawkins have pledged to use every resource, including local, county, state, and federal law enforcement, to track down the perpetrator. However, no arrests have been made yet.
In response to an increase in speed-related incidents, the city banned ATVs and dirt bikes on any street, sidewalk, or public park in 2021, yet Alexa became the latest victim of this crime.
Jim Kropf mentioned that his daughter was looking forward to finishing her finals before heading home to Floral Park but was robbed of that opportunity by the reckless actions of the hit-and-run driver.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for Alexa, raising close to $52,000 to support her multiple surgeries and long recovery process.
Jim Kropf visited the crime scene and expressed hope that the surveillance cameras in the area could assist in identifying the culprit before taking matters into his own hands.
For now, he remains by his daughter’s bedside, emphasizing that her brain condition is the primary concern.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Alexa Kropf and her family during this challenging time.
