JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A bicyclist was critically injured Tuesday morning on Prudential Drive at Flagler Avenue and Jacksonville police are investigating.

Police said it happened when a white man in his 30s riding east on the sidewalk veered onto the road and was sideswiped by a westbound car. The man was thrown from the bike and hit the pavement. He was taken to UF Health Jacksonville with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the car that struck the bicycle stopped, was visibly shaken and was cooperating with the investigation. Police said she has not been charged.

Traffic on Prudential Drive was briefly halted after the crash until the man was transported to the hospital and scene was documented.

The accident has people who frequently walk and ride bikes in the area on alert.

"The people here go way too fast," pedestrian Anthony Hodges said. "And the only reason people are stopping right here is probably because they see you all."

Hodges works along Prudential Drive every day. Sometimes twice a day to get lunch. He is one of the many walkers, runners and bikers who share the area with cars.

"It's a real dangerous area, especially in the morning, early in the morning and it's dark still," Hodges said. "A lot of people are too busy on cell phones. It happens all the time. Every time I turn on the news, someone got hit by a car."

Police haven't said whether speed was a factor Tuesday morning's crash.