Man driving ride-on mower critical after he was hit by teen driver

A man is fighting for life after a teenage driver allegedly crashed into a ride-on lawnmower in Melbourne's north.

The serious collision between a car and a ride-on lawnmower took place at 8.10am on Thursday on Austrak Drive, located in an industrial area of Somerton.

Paramedics were called to the scene and a 54-year-old Chirnside Park man who was operating the lawnmower was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries to his lower back.

He remained in a critical condition in the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Thursday evening.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have since charged the 19-year-old driver with dangerous driving causing serious injury, negligent driving causing serious injury, driving while suspended and other traffic-related offences.

"The 19-year-old driver of the Ford sedan was not injured and was arrested at the scene," a police spokeswoman said.

The Meadow Heights man was due to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.