A Bridgeport family is holding a silent vigil at Yale New Haven Hospital after their child was hit by a car Sunday afternoon.

"It happened at the intersection of Salem Street and Madison Avenue around 4:30 p.m., and we are holding the family in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult hour in their lives," said Bridgeport Police Detective Jeffrey Holtz. "Our officers did an excellent job investigating this terribly tragic event. There's nothing we want more than to do the best possible job for this family. They deserve nothing less."

Nine-year-old Junior Mullings, who lives across the street from the victim, said he was heartbroken when he realized who the victim was.

"I saw the cars and the ambulance and the police tape and I had no idea at first who it was on the stretcher. He's really nice and I see him all the time and I want his family to know - just to know that we're thinking of them. I'm sad. We're all really sad. We want him to get better and come home," Mullings said.

The driver who struck the child stopped and cooperated with police and was not cited for a moving offense in connection with the accident, police said.

The driver did receive a citation in connection with an insurance issue, police said.

The boy was taken to Saint Vincent's Medical Center but was later transferred to the pediatric trauma center at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, where he remains in critical condition, police said.

"We are all praying - we are all praying for him," said Detective Holtz.