The condition of a pedestrian who was struck by a car on Christmas Eve while trying to walk across a busy road near the Maine Mall improved to serious Wednesday at Maine Medical Center, according to a nursing supervisor.

Christoper Ayotte, 37, of South Portland, had been listed in critical condition with life-threatening injuries Tuesday night, according to South Portland police Lt. Thomas Simonds.

Simonds said in a press release Tuesday that Ayotte either stepped or slipped from a traffic island while trying to cross Western Avenue just before he was hit by a passing car.

Ayotte, who lives in the Redbank neighborhood, was trying to cross the street to reach a convenience store.

The driver of the car, Timothy Eisenhart, 42, of Portland, was going from the mall area toward Interstate 295 around 5:30 p.m. Eisenhart was not injured.

The accident remains under investigation but Simonds said neither speed or alcohol appeared to be a factor.

Scott Dolan can be reached at 791-6304 or at:

sdolan@pressherald.com

Twitter: @scottddolan