The 16-year-old girl was flown by an Army emergency helicopter to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. Hospital officials could not update her condition, however, because they did not have authorization from her parents.

Her identity also was not being released, but police said she was from 'Ewa Beach.

The accident created a major traffic jam along Fort Weaver Road.

Sgt. William Baldwin, a police traffic investigator, said the girl was crossing the 91-1800 block of Fort Weaver Road when she was hit about 7:33 a.m. by a silver, 1993 Ford Escort station wagon.

The station wagon was being driven by a 66-year-old 'Ewa Beach woman and speed and alcohol were not factors in the accident, Baldwin said. The posted speed limit along the four-lane stretch of road is 45 mph.

The victim was crossing in a westbound direction and nearly across the road when she was hit. She was thrown about 20 feet and suffered serious head injuries.

No one else was injured.

Two ambulances arrived in about five minutes, after dispatchers received numerous 911 calls. One of the ambulances took the girl to meet the emergency helicopter at St. Francis Hospital-West.

Baldwin said the driver of the station wagon did not see the girl. The crosswalk she was using is just over a small rise in Fort Weaver Road and there is no stoplight to halt traffic.

Frances Heltz, an assistant teacher at a child care center nearby, was driving into her parking lot when she heard the accident. Heltz said she had to wait for a break in heavy traffic before she could get to the girl.

"She was in a pool of her own blood," Heltz said. "I had never seen anything like that before."

She couldn't find a pulse at first.

A co-worker at the center, Melissa Fermin, also was parking her car.

"I heard the bang," she said. "I saw the girl flying. She looked like a lifeless doll."

Both women say the crosswalk is dangerous.

"This crosswalk is extremely awful," Fermin said. "It is not the first time and unfortunately it's not the last time."

Baldwin said commuters have to pay attention to where they are driving.

"Everyone wants to get to work on time, but you always have to be on alert for pedestrians," Baldwin said.

Police are asking for any witnesses to come forward with information. They can call 529-3523.