Police have opened a negligent injury investigation after an 18-year-old Puna man driving a pickup truck struck a teenage pedestrian last night in Hilo.

The pedestrian's condition was not immediately available.

Police said two young women were crossing Makaala Street by the former Island Naturals store heading toward Sears at about 7:15 p.m. They were not in a crosswalk.

The man, who was eastbound in the center lane, hit one with his 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 truck.

Witnesses said the driver did not brake before hitting the girl, who was sent flying about 25 feet.

Sgt. Christopher Gali, head of the Traffic Enforcement Unit, said the driver, who had not been arrested, was taken to Hilo Medical Center for a "mandatory blood draw" to test for alcohol and drugs.

"It's standard in these kinds of cases," he said.