Natalie Maloney, 14, critical after being struck by SUV while crossing routes 347 and 25

A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition after being struck by a car while trying to walk across a busy highway. Police say a Chevy Suburban struck 14-year-old Natalie Maloney on Route 347 by Route

News 12 Staff

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Jul 30, 2013, 1:00 AM

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Updated 4,319 days ago

A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition after being struck by a car while trying to walk across a busy highway.

Police say a Chevy Suburban struck 14-year-old Natalie Maloney on Route 347 by Route 25 in Nesconset at about 11:30 p.m. yesterday.

Authorities say the Ronkonkoma teen and her friend crossed the eastbound lanes of Route 347. Then, they say Maloney darted out into the westbound lanes of 347 against the light.

Deputy Inspector Thadeus Nieves says the driver tried to prevent the accident by swerving to avoid Maloney, but Maloney attempted to dart back to the medium and ran into the path of the vehicle.

Maloney was rushed to Stony Brook University Medical Center with serious internal injuries and remains in critical condition.

An hour before the accident, authorities say they got a 911 call that teenagers were playing "chicken" on Middle Country Road, but police say there is no connection to the crash.

The driver of the SUV is not expected to be charged, but anyone with information on the accident is asked to call police at 631-854-8452.