Police are trying to figure out why a Montgomery man was lying on Route 27 Feb. 26 before he was struck by a car.

According to police, Todd Hawthorne, 53, was found lying on Rt. 27 near the Little Rocky Hill fire house shortly after 10 p.m. by Officer David Cruz, who was on patrol. Hawthorne was unconscious and bleeding from the head, police said.

Cruz immediately advised dispatch of the situation and requested EMS personnel to respond to the scene, police said.

Kristen Cahill, 34 of Dover, Ohio, approached Cruz while he was tending to Hawthorne and told the officer that she believed she struck Hawthorne, police said. Cahill said she tried to swerve but hit Hawthorne with her tire.

Hawthorne was transported to a local area hospital with a severe head injury by EMS personnel, police said. Ms. Cahill was uninjured in the crash

The Franklin Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau responded to the scene and is investigating the crash. The circumstances as to why Hawthorne was lying in the roadway at the time of the crash are under investigation.

Hawthorne is currently listed in stable condition, police said.

Route 27 was shut down in both directions during the investigation at Old Road for approximately three and a half hours, police said. Police are asking anyone with information about this crash to contact Officer James Raics of the Franklin Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau at (732) 873-5533 extension 3177.