Two women are in critical condition after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in Newark early Sunday morning, police say.

The crash happened at the intersection of Broadway and Verona Avenue around 2 a.m.

According to people who witnessed the aftermath of the crash, the women were leaving the North End bar when the hit-and-run driver collided with them. 

Witness Henry Almonte, of Nice & Fast Barbershop, tells News 12 that one of the victims appeared to be in her 20s and the other in her 30s. One of the victims appeared to have serious leg and head injuries, he said.

Almonte says he didn't hear the crash because of the music inside the bar.

Idalia Arcelay says she is a good friend and co-worker of the victims. She says they have all worked together for 12 years at the Essex County Division of Welfare. After visiting the pair in the hospital, Arcelay said one of the victims suffered serious head trauma and the other is not doing any better.

The women were hit by what police are describing as a small SUV, driven by a suspect who fled the scene and continued toward Route 21.  Surveillance video captures the moment they were hit.

Newark police are describing the car that struck the women as a white vehicle, possibly a Toyota RAV 4 or Honda CRV. No license plate information is available.

Almonte says he's seen and heard crashes near his barber shop across the street from the bar.

Omar Acosta of Newark says it's not the first time serious crashes have happened at the intersection. He says one crash several weeks ago took out a street light.

Police urge anyone with information to call the Crime Stopper Tip Line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS or online at newarkpd.org.