CENTERVILLE, Utah — A teenage girl is in critical condition after being hit while in a crosswalk by an SUV in Centerville on Wednesday morning.
The incident happened in the area of 2025 N. Main Street shortly before 11:30 a.m.
Police said the 16-year-old was using the crosswalk while heading eastbound when she was hit by a 2017 Toyota Highlander traveling south on Main Street. The teen was thrown between 60-80 feet and knocked unconscious.
Police said the unidentified teen was originally supposed to be airlifted to the hospital, but paramedics decided to load her into an ambulance and transport her to the Intermountain Healthcare Trauma Facility in Murray. The girl suffered multiple head and torso injuries and is now in critical condition.
The 82-year-old female driver of the SUV stayed at the scene after the crash and is cooperating with the police. Although the road was wet at the time of the accident, it was clear of snow and visibility was good, according to the Centerville Police Department.
The Utah Highway Patrol is assisting in the investigation.
Although the marked crosswalk is in zone near Reading Elementary School, it was not activated at the time of the incident.
"We did not know what happened until we got home," said Clark Tingey, who has lived by the crosswalk for 40 years.
Tingey said he has never seen an incident like this in his time living in the neighborhood, except for a few accidents. He's hoping to see some changes from people who drive up and down the road after Wednesday's incident .
"People look more closely, pedestrian crossings, this is used by a lot of people," plead Tingey.
