SOUTH BRUNSWICK — A 14-year-old girl was struck in the South Brunswick High School parking lot and a 19-year-old driver left the scene but soon returned to observe classes as part of her college studies, authorities said.

Shivangi Patel was arrested at 2:25 p.m. today and charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injuries and endangering the welfare of a victim.

The accident took place at 7:25 a.m. when the victim was in a parking lot crosswalk and was struck by the vehicle, hitting her head on the car’s windshield, authorities said.

Police Sgt. James Ryan said the girl was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for treatment of a severe concussion and fractured clavicle.

Police say Patel left the scene, but parked her car two blocks away, then had her father drive her back to the high school where she spent hours observing classes as part of her studies for classes at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.

Ryan said officers found pieces of the car at the scene and determined the vehicle was a Nissan, Ryan said. Police Sgt. Ken Drost searched nearby streets and found Patel’s Nissan with fender and windshield damage, Ryan said.

"This driver ran down this student as she was only feet from the school," Chief Raymond Hayducka said. "Sgt. Ken Drost was determined to track this driver down. His efforts reflect the best of our agency."