An NIU student is in fair condition after a car driven by another student slammed into her during an alcohol-related accident on West Lincoln Highway early Friday morning, DeKalb Police said.

Lincoln Hall resident Karen M. McCann, 21, was flown by Lifeline helicopter to Saint Anthony’s Medical Center, Rockford, after being hit by a Ford Mustang driven by Daniel A. Walker, 21, 2305 Suburban Estates, DeKalb Police said.

Police charged Walker with driving under the influence of alcohol and improper lane usage, police said. Walker’s blood-alcohol content was .098, just below the legal limit of .10, police said.

McCann, a Roselle native, was walking west in front of Jo-Ann Fabrics, 121 W. Lincoln Hwy., when Walker’s car hit her, police said. Witnesses told police that Walker’s car, headed north on First Street, fishtailed and accelerated as it turned left and headed west on West Lincoln Highway, police said.

“We were walking home from Otto’s when we heard this screeching of tires. I looked over my shoulder and saw the car go over the curb and hit her,” said Richard K. Fantozzi, 21, 536 College Ave.

Walker lost control of his car as it jumped the curb and hit McCann, who flew on to the hood of the car as a result of the impact, police said. Walker’s car continued west across the sidewalk, and McCann was thrown off the car when it hit and jumped a cement retaining wall in the fabric store’s parking lot, police said.

“I saw her just as she got hit. It was scary,” said Lann F. Rader, 20, 536 College Ave. “She was airborne. She flew 20 or 25 feet in the air.”

McCann’s mother, Ronnie McCann, said her daughter is “getting better,” but has massive head and leg injuries. Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday.

Walker’s car did $1,500 in damage to the concrete embankment in the fabric store parking lot, police said.