A 7-year-old boy is in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle Friday morning on Forbes Road in Plant City.
- Child struck by vehicle in Plant City
- Elijah Cruz, 7, in critical, but stable condition
- Cruz ran into path of Jeep
- Bay News 9 Traffic resources
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Elijah Cruz was attempting to cross the street to get to his bus stop around 7 a.m. when he ran into the path of a Jeep, driven by Shirley Bowman, 69.
Officials said Bowman did not have time to avoid the crash and struck Elijah.
Elijah was airlifted to Tampa General with life-threatening injuries. Officials said he is in critical, but stable condition.
Ashley Bloise witnessed what happened and took action.
"I laid on the street with the little boy, held onto him to make sure he stayed straight and that he was breathing," she said. "I kept his pulse, I instructed the gentleman standing there to call 911."
Neighbors told Bay News 9 reporter Erin Maloney the location isn't a good place for a bus stop.
"This entire road is dangerous, people fly up and down this road all day," one neighbor said. "It doesn't get any better, they go faster and faster as the day goes on."
Deputies said the driver of the jeep was going the speed limit -- 45 mph. But witnesses and neighbors said that is too fast for the area.
According to the report, Bowman was fully cooperative and no charges are expected.
Cruz is a student at Bailey Elementary School.