Pedestrian struck on Trans-Canada Highway near Vancouver

An unidentified woman, believed to be in her mid-thirties, is in critical condition with serious head injuries after being struck by a motorist on the Trans-Canada Highway in Coquitlam Tuesday night.

Coquitlam RCMP said the pedestrianand another womanare suspected of shoplifting at a store near the accident, which happenedalmost underneath the King Edward Street overpass.

Police saida private security guard was watching the two women, and reported the accident to authorities.

Sgt.TonyFarahbakhchian with Coquitlam RCMPsaid the accident happened at about 9:40 p.m.,when the two women were attempting to cross the 10-lane highway.

"These cars are travelling 100-110 [km/h], and she just got hit bang-on," saidFarahbakhchian. "She's in pretty bad shapehere."

Farahbakhchian said the woman was hit in the westbound fast lane, and the second woman wasn't found, and hasn't contacted police.

The car could be seen at the accident scene with its windshield smashed inward. The car's driveris cooperating with investigators.