LAS VEGAS -- The 8-year-old boy who pedaled his bicycle into traffic and was hit by a car Tuesday wasn’t wearing a helmet, police said.

It was the second incident in the last week involving a young bicyclist whose head was not protected during an accident.

Tuesday on FOX5 News at Five: Advice For Bicyclists Of All Ages

Police said the boy and a friend were on the sidewalk of Washington Avenue when they suddenly swerved and tried to cut across traffic near the intersection of Minnesota Street.

A woman in a Lexus couldn’t stop in time and hit the 8-year-old. His head slammed into her windshield, police said.

The boy was rushed to University Medical Center in critical condition.

Police said there was nothing the driver could have done to prevent the accident and appeared frustrated by the fact it could have been easily avoided.

“If that child wanted to cross, he should have stopped at the intersection, waited for it to be clear, or at least allowed the other drivers to see him,” said Metro police Sgt. Oscar Chavez.

Last week, a Coronado High School student was hospitalized after a similar crash. Austin Paxson, 18, was still hospitalized in serious condition Monday.

He was hit by a minivan while pedaling through an intersection on the way to school. Paxson was not wearing a helmet.

The 17-year-old driver, who was also on the way to school, was not cited.