AUBURN – An 84-year-old Lewiston man was critically injured Thursday night when his car was hit by a tractor-trailer as he attempted to drive across Washington Street.

George Cotton of 22 Surry Lane was listed in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Central Maine Medical Center, officials said.

Auburn Patrolman Matthew Tufts said Cotton had left the Ness Oil Co. after fueling up and was driving across the two southbound lanes when his vehicle was struck. He was alone at the time.

“He tried to get across the lanes before the 18-wheeler and another vehicle,” Tufts said witnesses reported.

Tractor-trailer driver John Carpenter, 44, of Obetz, Ohio, was not hurt, Tufts said. He, too, was alone in his rig, which is registered to Piper Trucking Inc. of Sunbury, Ohio.

Auburn fire and rescue personnel used hydraulic equipment to get Cotton out of his crushed 2004 Lincoln. United Ambulance took him to the hospital.

Cotton’s car had more than $25,000 damage, Tufts said.

Assisting at the scene were Patrolman Archie Juntura and Detective Mitchell Sweetser.