Student hit by truck outside Marsh Plaza

A male Boston University student was hospitalized after a truck hit him on Commonwealth Avenue in front of Marsh Plaza around 4:45 p.m. yesterday.

BU spokesman Colin Riley said the student is Miko Paolo, 21, though hospital officials at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — where he was reportedly taken — were unable to locate his name in medical records yesterday evening, a Beth Israel Media Relations representative said.

Paolo was hit by a Chevrolet pick-up truck after he ran around the front of a stopped BU shuttle bus and onto Commonwealth Avenue, witnesses said. The driver, who would not disclose his name, said he was driving toward a green light at the time of the incident.

“[The student] ran out in front of the bus, and the driver [of the truck] didn’t expect him to be there,” said an MBTA inspector who witnessed the accident and would not disclose his name because of company policy. “[The student] was thrown about 10 feet.”

Paolo stood up and walked to the median strip after being hit, the inspector said. He did not want medical attention and was able to walk to the ambulance, he said.

Paolo sustained minor injuries and was sent to Beth Israel, said a Boston Police Department Media Relations representative.

BU Police Department Sgt. Jack St. Hilaire, the BUPD’s only media representative, was unavailable for comment last night.

The BPD are still investigating the incident, Riley said.

“Any incident where our students are getting hit by vehicles, it concerns us, and it’s very upsetting,” Riley said. “We certainly hope that the injury is minor and that [the student] recuperate[s].”

Recognizing the number of BU students who cross Commonwealth Avenue, Riley said they “need to be alert” of potential dangers.

“Sadly, it happens,” Riley said. “They need to recognize that . . . living in an urban environment.”

Staff reporters Angela Latona and Jenna Nierstedt contributed reporting to this article.