By DUSTIN RACIOPPI

A 26-year-old Red Bank man was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene Tuesday night, police said.

The accident, which occurred on Route 35 south in Middletown, between Coopers Bridge and Navesink River Road, left the victim, whom authorities are not yet publicly identifying, in critical condition, Middletown Sergeant Fred Deickmann said.

Police are searching for the suspect who they say struck the man as he was walking near the intersection of Route 35 and Lakeshore Drive at about 10 p.m. The vehicle, which was traveling southbound, continued toward Red Bank, Deickmann said.

The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center‘s trauma unit in Neptune.

Anyone with information on the accident is asked to contact Middletown police’s traffic and safety bureau at 732.615.2043.