Investigators say a driver was heading north on State Street at around 35-40 mph when he began to sneeze repeatedly.
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He apparently did not see two teens - one on a bicycle and one on foot - who were together on the side of the road moving in the opposite direction of vehicular traffic, Hemet police said.
The teens were walking/riding southbound along the right side of the northbound lane, police said.
The 2004 Hyundai struck the teens, injuring both, around 12:20 p.m. Monday on State Street near Domenigoni Parkway.
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Both were transported to a local trauma center. The 16-year-old pedestrian was listed in critical condition and the 17-year-old bicyclist was in stable condition.
The driver sustained minor injuries and remained at the scene of the collision.
Police do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision.