Penn State graduate student
Xiaohui Xia, 25, died late Tuesday night from injuries sustained after being struck by a car driven by a Harris Township supervisor last Thursday.

Xia, who came to the United States from China in August to pursue a degree in food science, was pronounced dead at about 11:30 p.m. while her family and friends surrounded her with love and care, Xia's graduate adviser, Steve Knabel, said.

The Geisinger Medical Center in Danville confirmed Xia suffered severe head injuries in the accident and was in critical condition Tuesday before dying later that night.

John Floros, the head of the food science department, said the entire food science family is deeply affected by Xia's tragic accident.

"We are all greatly saddened by the unexpected loss of this bright, energetic, kind and gentle person," Floros said. "She will remain in our thoughts forever."

Floros said arrangements have been made to fly her body back to her hometown in China.

Fellow food science graduate student Baofang Liu said one of Xia's many dreams was to own a piece of land in State College so she could plant her favorite vegetables.

"Her personality is as simple as her dream," she said. "Xia was a shy, pretty and warmhearted girl -- everyone who knew her liked her."

The university contacted Xia's sister and aunt, and with the help of the Chinese embassy, which granted them passports, they arrived from Beijing two days after the accident. Her mother is still in China.

A remembrance story about Xia, written by College of Communications doctoral students Nan Yu and Mina Tsay, indicated Xia had been raised solely by her mother since she was 12 years old. She graduated from Nanjing Agricultural University in 2004. She taught at a middle school in Henan, China, before she came to Penn State.

Clifford Warner, 73, of Boalsburg, was driving the car that hit Xia last Thursday morning.

According to the State College Police Department's accident report, Warner said he didn't notice Xia until he was too close to avoid her. A witness said it seemed like he was driving at a normal speed.

Police said they have not pressed any charges against Warner; they are waiting to see the results of an accident reconstructionist's report.

According to the accident report, Xia hit her head on Warner's windshield and rolled across the car and onto the street. Yu said that upon Xia's arrival to the hospital, doctors claimed that the damage inflicted on Xia's brain was "devastating."

"Holding her younger sister's hand, Xiaomin Xia had been praying every second for a miracle to happen since she arrived at the hospital," Yu said. "She continues to question how this incident occurred and is in [a] state of disbelief. She has not slept for days."

Patricia Coleman, an adviser of the Office of International Students, said she picked up Xia's aunt and sister from the hospital and brought them to State College yesterday.

"They met with us at the office and then had a meeting with a lawyer," she said. "We are supporting them through housing and whatever else they need -- they just ask us."

A colleague of Xia's, Yi Chen, said Xia was one of the most diligent students in the food science department.

"She would arrive at the office the earliest and leave the latest," he said. "Her dream was to finish her degree as soon as possible, so that she could find a teaching position in China and have the ability to take care of her mom."

Chinese Friendship Association President Jianfeng Guo said the group plans to hold a memorial ceremony for Xia but has not planned anything specific.

A prayer vigil was held Sunday on Allen Street and a donation box has been set up by the Chinese Friendship Association in memory of Xia. Donation information is available on the Chinese Friendship Association's Web site, www.psucfa.org.