Pedestrian critically injured when hit by car on East Coast Highway

A pedestrian was in critical condition after a car struck him Wednesday night on East Coast Highway in Newport Beach, according to authorities.

Officers responding to a call shortly after 7 p.m. found a man lying on the road just west of Newport Coast Drive, police said.

He had been on foot on the street when he was hit by a Toyota Prius, Newport Beach police Lt. Tom Fischbacher said.

Medical crews took the man to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana while officers interviewed the Prius driver, who remained at the scene, Fischbacher said.

Police are investigating, but Fischbacher said the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk when the car struck him. Alcohol, drugs and the driver’s speed do not appear to be factors in the crash, Fischbacher added.

The driver was not arrested or cited, police said.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck