By Olivia Scheck and Nicole Bode
DNAinfo Staff
MANHATTAN — A 12-year-old boy was clinging to life after he was struck by a car while riding a bike on the Upper East Side, officials said.
The unidentified child was struck by a Dodge Nitro near 78th Street and the FDR Drive service road at 1:40 p.m., according to police.
The young bicyclist was taken to New York Hospital in critical condition. Police said the driver stayed on the scene and there was no criminality suspected.
A damaged yellow child's bike was inside crime scene tape on 78th Street near the entrance to the service road.
The stretch of 78th street near the scene of the accident is one-way and is partially obscured by construction that is taking place on a pedestrian overpass.
Neighbors said the block is frequented by children going to and from John Jay Park and Pool, located on the south side of the street.
"That's actually a terrible design," local resident Neal Blangiardo, 41, remarked about the intersection. "You've got a park for kids right there and then a one-way street leading to a freeway on-ramp."
It was unclear whether the injured child had been visiting the park.
