Child critically hurt after getting struck by an SUV in Racine

RACINE-- A child critically hurt after getting struck by an SUV near 12th and Washington Avenue in Racine.



Racine Police say the 8-year old boy was taken to St. Mary's Emergency Room, then flown via Flight For Life to Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa.



Investigators say it appears the child was trying to cross Washington Avenue westbound when he was hit by an eastbound SUV.



Police say the child was thrown into the westbound traffic lane. 



When CBS 58 crews arrived at the scene Thursday evening, the child's backpack was still in the middle of the street.



\"I just pray for the family of the victim,\" said Frank Colter, who lives near the crash site.



Neighbors say children are always playing near the busy intersection, but drivers always speed by the area.



\"You have to watch your kids nowadays, you can't just let them play and run in the streets,\" said Mary Barron, who also lives near the crash site.



Neighbors say after the crash, they want to see more signs in the area reminding drivers to slow down.



\"We need that to slow down cars, because this is the first and it won't be the last,\" said Colter.



Colter says the speed limit near 12th and Washington Avenue is 35 miles an hour, but most drivers clock in speeds much higher than that.