3-year-old critical after being struck by car in north Phoenix

PHOENIX - A 3-year-old boy is in critical condition after being struck by a car on a north Phoenix roadway Sunday night.

Phoenix Police Department spokesman Lt. Ben Leushner said the boy was playing with a group of children at an apartment complex near 35th and Dunlap avenues around 7:35 p.m. when he was hit.

According to Leushner, the female driver was traveling northbound on 35th Avenue when the boy darted into the street. The woman reportedly tried to swerve to avoid the child, but the boy was struck in the head by her vehicle's side mirror.

The 3-year-old was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in critical condition.

Officials said the boy was being supervised by several relatives in a gated area at the apartments when he managed to slip out and run into the roadway.

Leushner said the woman was not speeding and impairment does not appear to be a factor in the accident.