Witnesses say a pedestrian was hit and seriously hurt after pushing a man out of the way of a car on East 138th Street and Bruckner Boulevard.

Henry Moldanado says he was with a group of friends that included 50-year-old Christina Aybar, who was initially struck by the car. He says he observed the driver of a white Chevy with a black bumper make eye-contact with Aybar. He tells News 12 the driver then rolled up his window and drove off.

Moldanado says the Chevy then made a U-turn at the intersection and drove straight at him, prompting Aybar to push him out of the way.

He says Aybar was then struck by the driver, who then backed up and struck her again in reverse.

Witnesses say the driver immediately fled the scene.

Aybar was taken to Lincoln Hospital in critical condition.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.