16-year-old jaywalking across Island Highway hit by truck

A 16-year-old girl was airlifted to B.C. Children's Hospital, Wednesday, after being struck by a pickup truck in Nanaimo last night.

The girl had been in a crosswalk but crossing against the light at Mary Ellen Drive, Nanaimo RCMP said in a news release.

A GMC pickup truck was heading north on the highway, and the driver couldn't stop before he struck the girl, police said.

She was thrown nearly 20 metres — to the opposite crosswalk — by the force of the impact.

The girl has injuries to her head and femur. Her condition deteriorated overnight.

The police investigation is ongoing, but speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors, RCMP said.