A 5-year-old girl is in a coma Wednesday after she was hit by a car while walking home from school Tuesday.

"There should be absolutely no reason why a child should be hit by a car coming home from school with a crossing guard present," said Assistant Hempstead School District Superintendent Sally Thompson.Police said the girl ran across the street at Cathedral and Fulton avenues as the crossing guard tried to slow traffic. Her 8-year-old brother, who suffered minor injuries, tried to stop her.

The somber staff at the girl's school gathered Wednesday to pray for the kindergartener, whose name has not been released.

The superintendent said his district has no bus transportation because voters defeated the measure, citing costs. By law, school districts cannot require parents to pick up their children.The girl's mother was at home waiting for the children to arrive.

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