HAMPTON, Va. — A one-year-old boy died Thursday from injuries sustained in a crash on Interstate 64 in Hampton earlier this week, Virginia State Police said.
The infant, identified by family as Ma'Khai, was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his 14-year-old mother when the crash occurred around 2:04 a.m. Monday near the 261-mile marker, police said.
The driver, traveling eastbound, drove off the right side of the interstate and struck a guardrail before the car went off the left side of the highway and hit a jersey wall, according to state police.
Both the driver and passenger were not properly restrained during the crash.
The 14-year-old driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
Ma'Khai was not properly secured in a child safety seat, police said.
The teenage driver has been charged with driving under the influence, driving without a license and a child restraint violation. Additional charges are pending, police said.
Family members identified the driver as Ma'Khai's mother, though authorities have not confirmed what substance she is accused of being under the influence of or where she obtained the vehicle.
"I've been in his life since day one. This is the hardest," said April Logan, Ma'Khai's grandmother. "This right here just took my world. Like I don't know how I'm even standing here right now."
Despite her grief, Logan said she cannot bring herself to hate the child's mother.
"My spirit won't let me," she said.
Ma'Khai's godfather, Donte Walls, used the tragedy to deliver a message to other young people.
"Stop trying to outgrow your age and just be your age. There's nothing wrong with being a teenager. Stop thinking that you're grown."
The crash remains under investigation by Virginia State Police.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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