A Detroit family was just a few blocks away from home Sunday evening when another car veered into their lane and hit them head-on. A 2-year-old boy died in the crash. His 8-year-old sister remains on life support. Their mother, who was driving, said she and the two children were on the way to her father's house for a late Christmas celebration.

According to police reports, a 62-year-old man driving in the opposite direction swerved to avoid a car backing out of a driveway. His car entered the victims' lane and slammed into their car. The mother told the press that the impact demolished the front end of her car.

Police also said that alcohol may have been a factor for the other driver. They have not released the man's name, and they have not admitted to conducting field sobriety or Breathlyzer tests on the man. At this time, no charges have been filed.

The mother said that her children were wearing seat belts and that her son was in a booster seat. Police told a reporter that they found no child restraints at the scene of the accident.

Michigan state law requires that children be in age-appropriate child restraint systems when riding in a car. Children under 4 must be in a car seat secured in the rear seat of the vehicle. Children age 4 to 7 that are under 4 feet 9 inches tall must be in a car seat or booster seat. Children age 4 to 15 must use a seatbelt.

Source: Detroit Free Press, "Detroit mom who lost son in crash: My daughter needs miracle to survive her injuries," Tammy Stables Battaglia, Jan. 11, 2012