Student Struck by Car on Morningside Avenue

A Columbia College freshman and Spectator editor was hit by a car Wednesday evening on Morningside Drive while on his way to cover a breaking crime story in Harlem. Daniel Amzallag, CC ’11, was hit by a car while crossing Morningside Drive at 119th Street and taken to St. Luke’s Hospital with various fractures. Friends reported that by the end of the evening, his condition was stabilized and he was in good spirits.

The circumstances of the accident were not clear as of Wednesday evening. The New York Police Department’s public information office had no information about the incident.

Friends and colleagues said that Amzallag was in their thoughts Wednesday evening.
“Dan is a great reporter and an even better friend,” said news editor Melissa Repko, BC ‘10. “I hope to see him out of the headlines and with a notebook in hand soon.”

Amzallag was on his way to meet a fellow reporter at the scene of a murder in Harlem at around 6 p.m. Wednesday when he was hit by the car. Fellow deputy city news editor Betsy Morais, CC ‘11, said it was telling that Amzallag was injured while covering a story.

“If he hadn’t been the one who got hit by a car, Dan would have been the one covering the accident,” Morais said. “Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if he does cover it, anyway. He’s one hardcore dude.”