Police say a teenager was shot and critically injured while driving in North Babylon Wednesday evening.

According to police, the 17-year-old male was driving a 2007 Honda CRV eastbound in the center lane of Sunrise Highway, east of Exit 39 and Hubbards Path, when he was struck in the chest by several gunshots fired at him from the passenger side of a black motor vehicle as it passed the Honda on the left at approximately 10 p.m.

He was shot eight times in the head, chest and neck areas.

The Honda then struck the rear of another vehicle before crashing into the center median and coming to a stop. The 17-year-old called 911 to report the incident. He was transported to a Good Samaritan Hospital and is listed in critical condition. There were no other injuries.

Police believe drugs sparked the violence.

Detective Let. Shaun Spillane says witnesses describe observing the red CRV traveling by itself initially and then the suspect vehicle pulled up alongside and started firing.

"And then after the shots were fired, it turned off its lights and fled eastbound," Spillane says.

Sunrise Highway has reopened between exits 39 and 40 in North Babylon following an accident investigation.

Police are asking anyone with any other information on the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.