Teenager in critical condition after being struck by vehicle

A teenager is hospitalized in critical condition after he was struck by a vehicle while walking in a traffic lane of Newport Road early this morning, authorities said.

The 15-year-old boy was walking westbound in the No. 1 eastbound lane of the 3000 block of Newport Road about 1:45 a.m., according to a Menifee Police Department news release. The pedestrian was struck by a Honda passenger car traveling east on Newport and was thrown into the eastbound lanes of traffic.

The boy’s mother, who asked that her son not be identified, told Menifee 24/7 this afternoon that he was in a medically induced coma after undergoing surgery for a head injury with internal bleeding. No other details about the boy’s condition or about the accident have been released.

The driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and is cooperating with law enforcement, according to the news release. He was not injured. Speed, intoxication and/or distracted driving do not appear to be a factor.

Newport Road was closed between Evans Road and Winter Hawk Road for several hours this morning for an investigation by police. If anyone has information about the collision, they are asked to contact the Menifee PD at 951-723-1500 or 951-677-4964.

"The Menifee Police Department would like to remind the public to utilize safe pedestrian pathways or crosswalks,” the news release stated. “Pedestrians are also reminded to wear reflective or bright clothing during hours of darkness.”

The incident was originally reported as a pedestrian fatality on the City of Menifee Facebook page. It was later corrected.