Hurricane Katrina evacuee John W. Black was the victim of a hit-and-run Sept. 30; two 14-year-old girls were arrested for the incident.

According to a City of Madison Police Department release, Black, 44, was crossing S. Park Street at the 2400 block, when he was struck by a vehicle. After colliding with Black, the vehicle fled the scene.

Witnesses gave a description of the vehicle to police, who were able to track it down. According to the incident report, police discovered the driver of the vehicle was a 14-year-old girl. Police arrested the driver and the passenger, another 14-year-old girl.

Police charged both girls with operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent. The driver was also charged with leaving the scene of an accident, and was taken to a juvenile reception center. The passenger was released to a parent, according to the report.

As a result of the accident, Black sustained multiple facial fractures, a compound leg fracture and at least five lacerations to his face and head, according to the report.

Black was taken to University of Wisconsin Hospital, and patient information confirmed he was still a patient there and is in fair condition.

Black reported to police he was from New Orleans but was displaced by Hurricane Katrina. UW senior Adam Strehlow was shocked to hear what happened to Black.

"That really sucks, to not only have been an evacuee from New Orleans, but on top of that, to get drilled by a 14-year-old driving a car," Strehlow said.

Jane Richardson, director of community development for the Badger Chapter of the American Red Cross, said there are at least 40 evacuees who have come to Madison for shelter. Strehlow said the message delivered by the hit-and-run is not a good one for people seeking shelter here.

"I don't think this is what the mayor had in mind when he said we'd be ready to welcome any evacuee who is looking for aid in Madison," Strehlow said. "It's like, 'Hey, welcome to Madison, where 14-year-old girls run people over.'"