15-year-old Topsail High School student hit by car while crossing Highway 17

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — A Topsail High School student is recovering after being hit by a car while crossing U.S. 17 Thursday afternoon.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the 15-year-old student was struck around 2:30 p.m. while crossing the highway.

The student was taken to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Pender County Schools Communications Coordinator Bob Fankboner confirmed to WWAY that the teenager is a Topsail High School student.

Highway Patrol says the driver was not cited in connection with the incident.

A state trooper told WWAY the area has been a concern for pedestrian safety, noting there are no crosswalks along that stretch of U.S. 17.

It remains unclear why the student was crossing the highway at the time of the incident.

Pender County Schools told WWAY it did not yet have confirmed information Friday evening about student parking or any guidance provided to students about crossing U.S. 17.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.