Police officers rushed the boy in their cruiser to Brookdale University Hospital, where doctors are treating him for a skull fracture.
The child and his 21-year-old mother were in the passenger seat of a car being driven by 28-year-old Natalie Leonard around 7 p.m. Monday. Police say she had a blood alcohol content of 0.08%.
Police say Leonard ran a red light at Livonia Avenue and Mother Gaston Boulevard and attempted to do the same at Dumont Avenue. That is when she collided with another car that had the right of way, authorities said.
Officials say the boy's mother was not wearing a seat belt and was holding her son at the time of the crash.
The child is said to be critical but stable.
Leonard was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, vehicular assault, acting in a manner injurious to a child, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving among other violations.
Authorities say the 38-year-old driver of the other car, Leisel Renaud, was charged with attempted aggravated unlicensed operator of a motor vehicle.
The 21-year-old mother has not been charged at this time.
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