Frank H.T. Rhodes, president emeritus of Cornell University, was injured in an automobile accident in Naples, Fla., Sunday (Feb. 3).

Rhodes, who is 75, suffered multiple injuries. He is hospitalized and responding well to treatment. Physicians from Weill Cornell Medical College have been in close communication with the attending physicians in Florida.

Rhodes and his wife, Rosa, were staying at their home in Florida. He was struck by a car while walking near home at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Details of the accident are not available at this time.

(Feb. 7, 2002) The Lee County Sheriff's Department in Florida has released the report of the motor vehicle accident in which Cornell University President Emeritus Frank H.T. Rhodes was injured Feb. 3.

According to the report, Rhodes was walking across a street at approximately 7:55 a.m. when he was struck by a motor vehicle. The driver left the scene of the accident, but a witness was able to describe the vehicle and give the license plate number to sheriff's deputies when they arrived at the scene. At 8:04 a.m., a Lee County sheriff's deputy put out an alert on the vehicle, which was described as a gray 1988 Ford van.

At 8:23 a.m., an officer in the sheriff's department observed the suspect vehicle and pulled it over. Jose Suarez, 22, of Bonita Springs, Fla., was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license and failure to yield right of way to a pedestrian. Two passengers in the van gave statements and were not charged.

Cornell officials report that Rhodes is continuing to respond well to treatment in a hospital in Naples, Fla.

(March 7, 2002) President emeritus Frank H.T. Rhodes is continuing to respond well to medical treatment after being injured in an automobile accident in Naples, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 3.

Rhodes, 75, was struck by a van while crossing a street shortly after 8 a.m., and suffered multiple injuries. After being hospitalized, he moved Feb. 23 to a rehabilitation center in Naples.

Get-well wishes may be sent to Rhodes' assistant, Joy Wagner, 3104 Snee Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853.