Police: Driver, 81, struck girl near Hamilton shopping center

Police in Atlantic County are investigating a crash Friday night involving an 81-year-old driver and a juvenile pedestrian.

Officers responded to the Black Horse Pike, near milepost 52.5, shortly before 10:30 p.m., the Hamilton Township Police Department said in a news release.

A preliminary investigation indicated a juvenile female tried to cross the highway, traveling south from the Hamilton Commons shopping center toward Wawa, police said.

The girl did not cross at an intersection and instead entered the roadway, where she was struck by a Buick Lacrosse driven by 81-year-old Janyth C. Schaaf, of Somers Point, according to investigators.

The juvenile, whose identity was not released, was rushed to Atlantic City Medical Center City Division, then airlifted to Cooper Medical Center, police said.

Information about her condition and the nature of her injuries was not immediately available. No additional injuries were reported.

The crash remained under investigation Saturday, police said.