STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The driver who allegedly struck a pedestrian in an Eltingville crosswalk last month has been criminally charged under a Vision Zero law aimed at protecting pedestrians' rights of way.

Kristie Lazzara, 39, of the 100 block of Macon Avenue, was driving a white 2014 Cadillac Escalade on Drumgoole Road East at about 5:15 p.m. on Jan. 11 when she attempted to turn left onto southbound Richmond Avenue, said police.

The Escalade struck a 58-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing Richmond Avenue in the marked crosswalk, police said.

"The pedestrian's 'walk' signal was illuminated and ... the pedestrian had the right of way," said a criminal complaint.

A Police Department spokesman said the victim was taken by ambulance to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, after suffering a traumatic head injury that left her unconscious.

Lazzara remained on scene, said police.

Lazzara appeared Friday in Criminal Court and was charged with failure to yield the right of way, a misdemeanor, and failure to exercise due care, a traffic infraction, online state court records show.

She is free on her own recognizance and was ordered back to court on April 18.

Her lawyer's name was not immediately available.

In a statement, prosecutors said, "Pedestrian safety is of paramount concern to District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. In this matter, as in all cases where Right of Way offenses are alleged, our office will consult with police and carefully evaluate all of the facts, circumstances and evidence before proceeding forward with a prosecution."

The "Right of Way" law, officially known as Local Law 29, is a Vision Zero measure passed in 2014 that makes a criminal misdemeanor charge possible for any driver who strikes a pedestrian or cyclist who has the right of way at a street crossing.

However, the legislation, championed by Mayor Bill de Blasio, was rarely used citywide in 2015, according to a DNAinfo report.

Not one driver was charged under this law or any other in relation to the deaths of 10 pedestrians and one cyclist fatally struck by motor vehicles on Staten Island last year.

McMahon took office as district attorney on Jan. 1.