A 79-year-old pedestrian was critically injured yesterday morning when he apparently ran into the path of an oncoming car on North School Street while rushing to catch a city bus, police said.

The man was taken to The Queen's Medical Center after the 6:25 a.m. crash.

The driver of the car, a 41-year-old man, was not injured.

The Kalihi accident comes in the wake of two pedestrian deaths on O'ahu this month, also involving seniors. An accident Jan. 3 killed a 93-year-old man crossing Pali Highway in a marked crosswalk. Eight days later, a 69-year-old man was killed as he tried to cross Ulumanu Drive in Kailua outside a crosswalk.

Advocates say the accidents illustrate how dangerous it is to be an elderly walker, but also signal the need for more education among pedestrians and drivers.

About half of the 25 pedestrians who died last year statewide were older than 60.

"I think a lot of efforts have been at education, but a lot still needs to be done," said Karen Takemoto, Lanakila Multi-purpose Senior Center program coordinator.

Takemoto said she still sees seniors leaving the center and crossing the street without looking, despite education efforts offered by the center, state and other agencies. Even seniors who do look are at risk, she added, because of bad eyesight and an inability to gauge how far away a car is.

She said it doesn't help that some drivers are speeding, especially on School Street, where seniors often walk to day programs or to catch the bus. The Lanakila senior facility and Kokua Kalihi Valley community center, near yesterday's accident, both attract hundreds of seniors daily, along with families. The speed limit on School Street is 25 mph.

Traffic police said it was dark and cloudy at the time of yesterday's accident at the intersection of North School and Ahonui streets. A 1993 green Honda sedan was traveling east in the left lane on School Street when it hit the man. The pedestrian was trying to catch a bus stopped on the other side of the street.

Speed and alcohol were not apparent factors.

The crosswalk where the accident happened does not have a traffic signal.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.