Appleton native dies after Minnesota crash

MINNEAPOLIS - An Appleton native has died after a hit-and-run crash near the University of Minnesota campus.

The family of Ben Van Handel says he died Thursday afternoon. He had been hospitalized since April 15, when he and two other students were hit by a car while they were walking on a sidewalk.

“In accordance with Ben's wishes, he donated his pancreas and one kidney to someone in need, he donated his other kidney to someone and he donated his liver to someone,” Van Handel’s family wrote on a CaringBridge website created in his honor. “We took solace all day in knowing that our loving and giving son/brother/friend would still be giving in his death to help others. Three families got very happy phone calls today to let them know a transplant would happen to today because of Ben.”

KMSP-TV reports the car went up on the sidewalk, hit the students and drove away. The other students suffered minor injuries.

Police have released images of pieces of the car left at the scene in hopes of finding the driver.