A student hospitalized after being hit by a car Tuesday night remained in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital last night.

Patrick T. Noble '01, a resident of Lowell House and a folklore and mythology concentrator, was hit at around 11 p.m. on Memorial Drive in front of Winthrop House.

As of 11:30 p.m. last night, hospital officials said he was still in the neurological intensive care unit.

"He is suffering from a head injury which makes the course of his recovery difficult to predict," wrote Eugene C. McAfee in an e-mail message to House residents late last night.

A police investigation is pending, said state trooper Jack Moran. No decision will be made on whether to open a criminal case until the investigation is completed, he said.

McAfee said that Noble's parents, who live in Sante Fe, N.M., arrived in Boston early this afternoon and spent the day at the hospital. McAfee, House Co-Master Diana L. Eck and several of Noble's friends joined them, though the intensive care unit where Noble is staying does not allow visitors outside the immediate family.

McAfee said that reaction in Lowell House was "pretty much what you'd expect."

"His friends are understandably upset, and we're trying to help them as best we can," he said.

He said the House has not decided how to respond.

"We need to figure out what's the best way to support him and his family and also allow his House to show their sentiment and affection for him," he said.

Friends of Noble, a player on the men's ultimate frisbee team, said they were hoping for a quick recovery.

"I think everybody's hoping for his recovery, and I guess all there is for us to do at this point is wait," said his roommate David M. Kallin '01.

"I was deeply saddened when I found out," said William P. Bohlen '01, another friend.

"I hope that nothing is seriously wrong, and that he's not permanently hurt," said Bohlen, who is also a Crimson editor. "I hope he can come back."