By Steve Gehrke

Posted: 02/03/2009 06:47:00 PM MST

A Taylorsville High School student was taken to a hospital in critical condition Tuesday morning after he was struck by a car while crossing a busy street.

The 17-year-old boy was crossing 5400 South at 1500 West at 10:47 a.m. Police believe he was on his way from the school to lunch during his break.

Taylorsville Detective Shannon Bennett said witnesses reported the teen was in a crosswalk at the time and was part of a group of three teens crossing the intersection. The first two crossed, and the third boy was trying to catch up when an eastbound car struck him just in front of the Iceberg Drive Inn.

Bennett said both witnesses and the driver told police the car had the right of way and proceeded through a green light.

"The pedestrian just didn't look when he entered the roadway and was struck by the motorist," Bennett said, adding that police had not yet determined whether any citation would be issued or who could be cited.

The speed limit in the area is 45 mph, Bennett said.

The car's driver, also 17, suffered a cut across his head. Bennett did not know whether he was a student at Taylorsville High.

The victim was transported to Intermountain Medical Center in critical condition. The driver sought medical treatment on his own, Bennett said.

"The motorist who hit the pedestrian stopped, got out and tried to help the victim," Bennett said. "He tried to provide emergency medical service, he called 911, got the victim a blanket -- he was very concerned about him."