FENWICK ISLAND, DELAWARE (6/21/2015) A 9-year-old boy is in critical condition after being struck by an SUV while crossing Route 1 just south of Fenwick Island, according to Delaware State Police.
The accident happened about 8:55 p.m. Saturday at the Lighthouse Road (Route 54) intersection, just north of the Delaware-Maryland state line.
Zander W. Hartman, of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, was crossing Route 1, also known as Coastal Highway, from west to east with friends and family members just north of the traffic light, police said.
After crossing the southbound lanes, the crossing signal changed and the group stopped in the median, but for unknown reasons Zander darted into the northbound lanes, police said.
He was struck in the right lane by the front bumper of a northbound 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, which had a green light.
The driver, William D. Murphy, 52, of Havre de Grace, Maryland, brought the SUV to a stop in the bus lane, police said. He and his wife, who was a passenger, were not injured.
Hartman was flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Maryland, and later taken by ambulance to DC Children’s Hospital in Washington.
Police said they are still investigating but alcohol is not a factor in the accident. No charges have been filed.
Northbound Route 1 was closed about two hours as police investigated.
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