Authorities say a pedestrian in Edison who tried to take a shortcut by scooting underneath a parked tractor-trailer was critically injured when the driver started up the vehicle and drove away.

According to police, the 30-year-old man from Princeton, and a friend, were walking back to a hotel Tuesday around 9:30 p.m. when he decided to go under the truck that was stopped to refuel at a gas station.

Police say he was then struck by four rear tires and dragged about 10 feet.

The truck driver, a Farmington Hills, Michigan resident who was unaware the man had been struck, drove away from the station and left the area.

Authorities located him several hours later in Philadelphia and he returned to Edison and cooperated with investigators.

The truck driver won't face any charges.

The other pedestrian walked around the truck and was not struck.