BELLEVUE, Wash. -- A maintenance worker was seriously injured after being struck by a car in Bellevue Wednesday afternoon.

The driver sped off and is still being sought.

The crash happened around 2:20 p.m. in the 1700 block of 112th Ave NE in the Hidden Valley Park area, Bellevue police said.

The 47-year-old victim was blowing leaves when a car hit him and sent him flying some 25 feet, according to police.

The man was rushed to Harborview Medical Center with potentially life-threatening injuries. On Wednesday night, his condition was upgraded from critical to serious, and he was said to be alert and responsive.

Police only have a vague description of the car, saying it was a newer compact car that was blue or gray. They're asking for any witnesses to the crash to call 911 immediately.

"I really want to encourage the driver to dot he right thing if this was a mistake," said Capt John Manning. "If this was something that just made you scared, Pick up the phone. Call us. Let us hear your side of the story."

The victim's name has not been released. He is an employee of Camden Garden.