A 6-year-old girl was struck by a semi Monday evening at 5:19 p.m. local time right in front of Macon Middle School on US 63, at the intersection of Missouri and Elm Streets, authorities say. The pedestrian accident happened as the school’s Santa’s Workshop program was concluding on the school’s campus. The victim’s older sister had just successfully crossed the street in advance of her younger sister when the accident occurred. Two other sisters were standing nearby and watched as the victim attempted to make it from one side of the street to the other.

Although the crosswalk signal was illuminated allowing the young girl right of passage, the trucker did not heed such warning and make any attempt to stop. The young girl’s body was projected into the area of an adjoining car wash on impact. The victim and her sister were headed to their great uncle’s house behind the car wash at the time of the incident. Upon seeing the incident occur, the sisters who witnessed the crash got out of their car, called authorities and ran to assist the girl until emergency medical responders arrived.

A nearby woman tried to keep the young victim as calm and comfortable as possible while awaiting help. As of Monday night, Dec. 12, authorities were on the lookout for the suspected semi involved in the collision and it is not yet known whether they have communicated with this person of interest. If found, the driver is facing potential hit-and-run charges.

As of Tuesday, Dec. 13, a family spokesperson reported to KOMU.com that the young victim, who had been lifeflighted from the scene of the accident, had sustained serious injuries and is in stable, but critical condition with a reported bleed in the brain, bruised lung, and many lacerations. Family members and police are hoping any witnesses will come forward to help with their investigation of the case.

Although the chief of police in charge of this investigation says no incidents have previously occurred of this type during his 15 years administering his department, pedestrian accidents are not all that uncommon. Negligent drivers can be held not only criminally, but also civilly responsible for their indiscretions. If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident or know someone who has, contact a Missouri personal injury attorney to discuss the specifics of your case.

Source: KOMU.com, “Update: Person of interest identified in semi hit-and-run,” Amanda Henderson, Dec. 12, 2016