Police pull over Smart car suspected in hit and run of 3-year-old in Richmond

RICHMOND, Calif. (KTVU) - A car believed to have been involved in the hit and run of a 3-year-old was pulled over in Richmond Thursday morning.

Lt. Felix Tan said the red Smart car was pulled over at the Portrero onramp of westbound I-80 by El Cerrito Police. Police are currently interviewing the driver, and say it was a routine stop. 

The 3-year-old boy was taken to the hospital in critical condition on Wednesday after a hit-and-run in Richmond.

According to authorities a mother was putting her child into a vehicle at 27th and Macdonald Avenue in Richmond when he darted out into traffic and a red Smart car hit him.

According to Richmond Police Lt. Felix Tan, the boy escaped the mother on the sidewalk, ran around the van and popped out into the street.

Based on surveillance video in the area, police believe the driver of a red Smart car is believed to have hit the child. Witnesses reported seeing the car hit the child, stop momentarily, then continue driving westbound on Macdonald Avenue.

The child was airlifted to Children's Hospital in Oakland in critical condition. As of Thursday morning Lt. Tan told KTVU the child remained critical but stable. Police released a photo of the boy on Thursday.

The original post said the child was 6-years-old, but officials have corrected to say the child is 3.