The victim was trying to cross Route 1 against a green light near Plainfield Avenue when he was struck in the southbound lane at 5:25 p.m. Sunday, Edison police said.
A second pedestrian crossed the road safely before fleeing the scene, they said.
The victim remained in intensive care at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick with head injuries, facial fractures and other broken bones, authorities said.
The pickup driver, an 18-year-old New Brunswick woman, had a learner’s permit, police said.
She remained at the scene, they said.
Any charges or summonses were pending the result of an investigation.
Route 1 was closed about two hours as police investigated.
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