Girl Hit in Crosswalk Critically Injured

A 13-year-old Simi Valley girl was in extremely critical condition Thursday after being hit by a car while walking across a street on her way to school, police said.

Jennifer Joyce was struck at 8 a.m. by a car driven by Karen Smith, 39, of Lancaster, Simi Valley Police Lt. Don Austin said. The girl was in a crosswalk at Medina and Sequoia avenues when she was hit by the car traveling south on Sequoia, Austin said.

Joyce was taken to Simi Valley Adventist Hospital with major head wounds and internal injuries, authorities said.

It was not known how fast the car driven by Smith was traveling when the accident occurred, police said. The driver, who was unhurt, has not been not charged, Austin said.