Man attacked after asking for cigarette, then hit by car

NEW YORK (AP) — Police say a man is in critical condition after being assaulted by a group of men and then stumbling into the street and getting hit by a passing car.

Authorities say the 23-year-old man was walking on Liberty Avenue in Queens around 4:15 a.m. Saturday and asked the group of men for the cigarette, persisting when they ignored him.

Police say the men then assaulted him, and he went into the street where he was hit by the car. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the car left the scene but later came back. He was arrested and faces charges including leaving the scene of an accident.