2 Boys, 12 and 13, Hit by Car While Biking in Nestor; Both in Critical Condition

Two boys are facing life-threatening injuries after they were hit by a car while on their bikes in Nestor, police said Monday.

Just before 6:20 p.m. on Sunday, a 37-year-old man was driving southbound on the 900 Saturn Boulevard block when the two boys, aged 12 and 13, were riding their bicycles across the street from east to west, according to the San Diego Police Department.

The driver of a Volkswagen Jetta struck the boys in the southbound lane, causing both victims to lose consciousness, the SDPD reported.

CPR was performed on the 12-year-old before both boys were taken to Rady Children's Hospital, according to authorities. Both were in critical condition as of Monday night.

The driver, whose name was not released, is not suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the SDPD reported.

A father who lives near the site of the crash said traffic violations are commonplace along that stretch of Saturn Boulevard.

"If we're going to the store we'll take the long way around because it's just so chaotic," Michael Bethke said. He said his daughter was recently in a car accident trying to pull out of the driveway.

A neighbor said she was hit by a car while riding her bike three years ago and had to wear an ankle brace for months.

"I don't ride my bike anymore. I walk," 13-year-old Susana Easley said. "I was crossing the street and a woman wasn't looking both ways. Over here, people don't usually stop, so you have to be careful."

Bethke said increased police presence could help calm traffic in the neighborhood.

"I hate to be that guy but they could sit out here all day long and just rack up tickets," Bethke said.

The status of the two boys was currently unknown.