2 kids in critical condition after being hit by car on Route 9

Two young children remain in critical condition with serious head injuries after a car hit a woman crossing Route 9 with the kids, Lakewood police said.

The woman is in stable condition with a facial laceration following the late-Monday crash, which shut down Route 9 in the area of Edgewood Court for about 4 hours, Detective Sgt. Greg Staffordsmith said.

Officers arrived around 10 p.m. and leared the 27-year-old woman was hit by a 1998 Lincoln Towncar. Her children, ages 4 and 1 years, were struck as well, Staffordsmith said. Several reports described the children as being in a stroller — Staffordsmith said he believes the 1-year-old was in one.

The Towncar, operated by a 50 year old Toms River man, was traveling north at the time of the accident, Staffordsmith said.

The woman and her children were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment and further evaluation, Staffordsmith said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Officer Dennis Dowden  at 732-363-0200 ext. 5322. He's investigating with the state Department of Transportation, the Ocean County Sheriff's Department, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and multiple emergency medical service units.