A Mercer County man was injured and his horse killed when a hit-and-run driver struck his buggy early yesterday, state police said.

Erven A. Byler, 22, of Heartstown, had been riding his buggy west on Route 358 at 12:50 a.m. when a vehicle approached from behind.

The vehicle that struck the buggy is believed to have been a van or a sports utility vehicle, state police said. It collided with the buggy, ejecting Mr. Byler about 50 feet, police said.

The vehicle then struck Mr. Byler's horse, killing it.

Mr. Byler was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, Ohio, where he was admitted in the surgical intensive care unit of the trauma center in critical condition.

Police said the suspect vehicle likely sustained severe front end damage and, possibly, a broken windshield.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call state police in Mercer at 724-662-6162.