12-year-old girl hurt after being struck by vehicle in Cary

A 12-year-old was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries Monday after she was struck by a vehicle in Cary, police said.

The accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on North Harrison Avenue near Wyatts Pond Lane.

Zahraa Hassan remains in critical condition at WakeMed.

Police have released few details about the crash, saying it's still under investigation. No charges had been filed by late Monday.

People who live in the neighborhood say they wish there were lights or a crosswalk to make it easier for children going to and coming from Reedy Creek Middle School a few blocks away.

"I hope they’ll be fine, but you just don’t know. You just pray every day for your children," Kathy Talbert said. "There’s no traffic light to help them go across the street."

"It should be made safer – lights or even just the painted street [markings] alerting drivers that there are children crossing the street from school," Elizabeth Johnson said.

Cary police said the intersection is considered an unmarked crosswalk.

"The roadway is always a dangerous place to be, no matter how old you are, but we would encourage parents just make sure their kids understand that a roadway can be a dangerous place to cross," police Capt. Steve Wilkins said.