UPDATE: Boy, 14, Struck While Crossing U.S. 19

Updated, 9:17 p.m.:

Clearwater Police are investigating an accident that left a 14-year-old boy hospitalized and that shut down a portion of U.S. 19 around rush hour Tuesday.

Investigators say the boy was attempting to cross the highway outside a crosswalk when he was struck just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The boy had crossed the southbound lanes, then hopped over the barrier and entered the northbound lanes, where he was hit by a vehicle.

The accident, which occurred in the 24000 block of U.S. 19, temporarily shut down the northbound lanes of the highway between Route 590 and Sunset Point Road, a police spokesperson said. The road has since reopened to traffic.

The boy was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with possible life threatening injuries, according to public safety spokesperson Joelle Castelli. "There appears to be no impairment on the driver of the vehicle," Castelli said in a media release.

The accident is still under investigation.

Earlier:

U.S. 19 northbound was shut down between 590 and Sunset Point on Tuesday afternoon during rush hour, as police and rescue workers responded to an accident.

One individual was being transported by ground to St. Joseph's Hospital, because the medical helicopter was unable to fly during a thunderstorm that swept through the region.

Tampa Bay Traffic was reporting "bumper to bumper" traffic at 6 p.m., with vehicles at a standstill.

Stay with Patch for updates.