A 22-year-old man is being treated for serious head injuries after he was struck by a car in Co Westmeath last night.
A Garda spokesperson said an investigation had been launched into the incident which occurred at the Dublin Road, Athlone shortly before midnight.
The injured man was taken to Portiuncla Hospital in Galway for treatment.
The 18-year-old driver of the car was arrested at the scene and taken to Athlone Garda Station. He has since been released and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The road remains closed pending an examination by by Garda Forensic Crash Scene Investigators.
