Exeter police said charges are pending against a 16-year-old driver who struck and seriously injured a woman walking on a Portsmouth Avenue sidewalk on Tuesday.

The victim, Soja Bennet, 69, of Exeter, remained hospitalized Wednesday.

The teenage driver has not been identified by police. Police Capt. Bill Shupe said the driver has a license.

The crash happened shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday in front of the Gary Blake car dealership. The woman was transported to Exeter Hospital, which is less than a half-mile away.

Shupe said the teen's vehicle was traveling north on Portsmouth Avenue toward Stratham when it suddenly veered to the left and struck the woman on the opposite side of the street. Shupe said it was initially unclear why the teen swerved.