Hit & run suspect surrenders to cops

NEW YORK (WPRI) - The hit and run driver accused of running over a Brown University graduate & a Brown University medical student in New York City in February has turned herself into police in Brooklyn.

28-year-old Frances Jasmin is charged with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in serious injury.

Investigators say Jasmin ran over 22-year-old Erinn Phelan and Alma Guerrero. Phelen pushed Guerrero out of the path of the vehicle. Phelan has been on life support since she was hospitalized after the crash.

Frances Jasmin is the younger sister of Cindy Jasmin, who was initially called a person of interest in the investigation because she owned the car which struck the two young women. Many residents were upset when she was released without being charged .

Now, police say Cindy Jasmin played an important role in the case, eventually bringing her sister in to surrender.

"It was difficult. She's my sister, I love her, I wanted to protect her, but in the end we know that we had to tell the truth," Cindy said. "We're coping, it's a difficult situation. It's a difficult time. It was a tragic accident on both ends and we're just dealing with it the best way we know how."

A lawyer for the Jasmin family says Frances Jasmin was so distraught following the crash, she checked herself into the psychiatric unit at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Upon leaving the facility on Wednesday, she immediately turned herself into police.

Shortly before the crash, Phelan was hired by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to promote volunteerism in the city.