Heroic Mayoral Aide Struck by Hit and Run Driver

Police are searching for a hit and run driver who struck two young women in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn early yesterday morning.

One of the victims, 22-year-old Erinn Phelan is on life support at Kings County Hospital this morning. According to published reports, the brilliant Brown University graduate may now be brain dead. She was walking with her friend and one time college roommate, Alma Guerrero at the time of the accident.

The two were crossing Flatbush Avenue around 4:30 in the morning when tragedy struck. The Daily News is reporting Phelan actually tried to push Guerrero out of the way of the car. Guerrero was still hit but is expected to be okay and is recovering at Kings County Hospital in stable condition.

Police found the car they believe was involved in the accident about five blocks away from the scene -- a green Acura Legend reportedly registered to 31 year old Cindy Jasmin of the Bronx. Police are looking for Jasmin who according to reports does fit witness descriptions of the driver responsible.

Erin Phelan was hired last year as a coordinator for NYC Civic Corps, a city program modeled after the Peace Corps that promotes volunteerism.

Mayor Bloomberg reached out to Erinn Phelan's parents to express his sympathies, then released a statement that read in part "all of our prayers are with their dedicated and idealistic young daughter who's helping New York City answer President Obama's historic call to service."

Bloomberg also called Phelan a "fighter" with "a big heart," and said "everyone in the city is pulling for her."