A Turlock girl is in critical condition with a skull fracture after she was struck by a drunk driver.

The 11-year-old girl is currently being treated at the Madera Children’s Hospital.

The driver, Christoval Rodriguez, 44, of Turlock is currently being held at the Stanislaus County Jail on charges of hit and run and driving under the influence.

The collision happened shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday in the 700 block of East Main Street.

The 11-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy were walking on the sidewalk alongside Main. They attempted to cross the street outside of a crosswalk and darted out behind a parked car into the street, said Turlock Police Lt. Carl Nielsen.

Rodriguez was driving a 1988 Ford van at about 30 mph when he struck the two children, Nielsen said.

The children were walking side by side and the 11-year-old girl took the brunt of the impact. The 9-year-old boy received bumps and bruises from the collision, Nielsen said.

The girl was air-lifted to Doctors Medical Center and later transferred to Madera Children’s Hospital. At last report she had regained consciousness, Nielsen said.

Rodriguez sped away from the collision and parked his van at Denair Park, located nearby. He was attempting to leave the area on foot when he was spotted by Turlock police officers and taken into custody.

The Stanislaus County Superior Court records show Rodriguez is facing two felony charges of hit and run resulting in death or injury; two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence; and one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended driver’s license. He was also being held on a prior arrest warrant.

Rodriguez is scheduled to make a court appearance at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.