A 16-year-old student at Green Hope High School was struck by a car and seriously injured Monday morning in front of the school.

Andrew Michael Shurney of 106 Deer Valley Drive in Cary was hit on Carpenter Upchurch Road about 8 a.m., Cary police say.

Shurney was taken to Duke Hospital in Durham, where he is listed in critical condition, hospital staff said late Monday.

The driver of the vehicle has been identified as Thomas P. Hand, 78, of Cary, who was driving a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. Charges have not been filed, Cary police Lt. Mark Parker said Monday.

Parker said alcohol was not a factor in the crash, but investigators have not ruled out excessive speed.

"We are looking at several things," Parker said.

Shurney was walking from N.C. 55 to the school when he was hit while trying to cross Carpenter Upchurch Road in front of the school, police say.

Eyewitnesses told police that Shurney was hit shortly after starting across the road.

Police described the roadway near the school as very busy on weekday mornings because of school traffic and motorists traveling to work.

Monday's crash marked the third auto accident near the school in the past year that resulted in injuries, police reported.

In November, a female student was struck by a car in the school parking lot. A second weekend crash occurred the same month near the school at 2429 Carpenter Upchurch Road, police reported.

Cary police and the City-County Bureau of Identification are investigating the incident. If you have relevant information, contact the watch commander at (919) 469-4016. All calls will be kept confidential at the caller's request.