A few pieces of plastic recovered from the scene of a hit-and-run collision may lead investigators to the driver who ran down several University of Minnesota students last week, critically injuring one of them.

The driver remains at large, but police say they now have a few pieces of his or her car collected from the scene of the crime along SE. 5th Street near Dinkytown.

The shattered plastic pieces are black and may have come from the front bumper. They have square holes that measure 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch, according to police.

Police have distributed photos of the pieces in the hope that someone may know something about them.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-222-8477.

The car was going about 30 miles per hour down a sidewalk on 5th Street at about 2 a.m. Friday.

Benjamin Van Handel, 23, of Appleton, Wis., the most seriously injured student, remains in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center with a severe brain injury and broken bones, according to his family and hospital staff.

MATT MCKinney