A boy is in critical condition after being hit by a van in Laurel

LAUREL, Maryland – A high school student is in critical condition after being hit by a van driver Monday night in the 8500 block of Conti Road in Laurel.

The incident, which occurred when the boy was reportedly running across the street outside a crosswalk, has local residents worried and hoping for his recovery. The boy’s mother is with him at the National Children’s Hospital.

The scene on Conti Road remains closed as Prince George’s County police investigate. The white minibus has a broken windshield and a damaged front headlight. It was parked at the scene as part of the investigation.

Witness Tavon Joyner, who was nearby at the time, described the immediate aftermath of the crash.

“He ran into the van and flipped over in the air,” Joyner said. “I was standing opposite and when I got there he was outside. He was lying on his back.”

Joyner and his colleague quickly moved to help the boy.

“Me and another colleague of mine turned him over and I noticed he wasn’t breathing, so we started doing CPR on him,” Joyner said.

Prince George’s County police are not releasing the student’s name at this time. The van driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with law enforcement agencies.