Authorities are looking for anyone with information about a motorist who struck a child, then left the scene Tuesday night.

The commander of the Portsmouth Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lt. Karla Taulbee, said, around 10:19 p.m., on Shela Boulevard near Preston Road, 14-year-old Charlie Howell, of High Street, Portsmouth, entered the road to retrieve a dog that had been struck by a vehicle, when he was struck by a black SUV that was traveling northwest on Shela Boulevard. Taulbee said the SUV fled the scene.

Howell suffered multiple injuries and was flown to Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, W.Va. A family spokeswoman told the Times that Howell suffered a broken back in two places, a broken leg and a head trauma in addition to other injuries.

Taulbee said anyone with information about the incident should contact the Portsmouth Post of the OSHP at 740-354-2888.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or flewis@heartlandpublications.com