City police say the 65-year-old man was working as a flagman on a construction crew which was performing sewer repairs near the bend on Penetang Street, north of Codrington Street, when he was struck at approximately 10:30 a.m.
“A very elderly male was turning off Mulcaster onto Penetang when he struck the male worker,” said Sgt. Mark Hyatt with Barrie police.
Hyatt said the worker was initially transported to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre for care, but was air-lifted to Toronto with serious injuries. He has now been listed in stable condition.
The older Lincoln SUV driver, believed to be in his 90s, could face several driving offences, he said.
“The laws pertaining to a worker who is flagging on a highway (city street) is no different than those for police directing traffic. It's the same Highway Traffic Act offence,” Hyatt said.
Barrie's communications manager Scott LaMantia said they had been contacted about the collision.
"At this point we don’t have additional information on the employee’s condition," LaMantia said. "Our thoughts are with this staff member and his family at this time."
A section of Penetang/Mulcaster streets remained closed for several hours as the police traffic unit and Ministry of Labour investigated the collision.