A woman in her 70s is in critical condition after being hit by an SUV crossing the street

MONTREAL -- A 72-year-old woman is in critical condition after being hit by an SUV while crossing the street.

According to the SPVM, a male driver in his 30s was travelling west on Henri Bourassa Blvd. and turned north onto Papineau Ave. around 2 p.m. when he hit the woman.

SPVM media spokesperson Caroline Chevrefils said the driver may have been momentarily blinded by the sun, and he is being treated for shock.

The month of November is one of the worst months for collisions involving pedestrians in part because of the earlier sunsets.

In 2018, there were 18 pedestrian deaths which is a five-year high. That number has already been surpassed in 2019.

The woman was transported to the hospital with injuries to her face and possible internal injuries.

Officers are on the scene to gather more information about the accident.

By 2022, all traffic lights in Montreal will be equipped with pedestrian crosswalk lights and a digital countdown. An additional four to six seconds will be added to allow pedestrians to cross the road.