Man, 31, arrested in motorcycle hit and run that left boy, 4, critically injured

Toronto police have made anarrest in connection with a hit and run involving a motorcycle that left a four-year-old childcritically injured.

Police say a 31-year-old manwas arrested in Markham and has beencharged with:leaving the scene of an accident and causing bodily harm, driving a motorcycle with an improper licence and operating a motorcycle without insurance.Police also say they have seized a 2016 Harley Davidson Road Glide motorcycle.

The boy is being treated for life-threatening injuries at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, where a family friend says relatives from around Toronto and abroad are gathered.

"The family is devastated," Dawan Afzal told CBC News. "They're asking everyone to pray."

Police initially said the child had died, but later corrected that information.

Emergency crews were called around 1:30 p.m. Sunday to 1245Victoria Park Ave.across from Adair Road and north of St. Clair Avenue East.

That's where Sgt. Brett Moore said a male motorcyclist, travelling northbound on Victoria Park Avenuewith a female passenger, struck the boy,who "found his way onto the roadway."

Police said the boy had been dragged "for some distance" and came to rest on the right side of the road.Witnesses toldinvestigators the motorcycle came to stop several metres north of the scene and pulled over, before the female passenger walked awayinto a residential area.Police said Monday that they have now identified that passenger.

The motorcyclist continued northbound, police said. The child, meanwhile, was rushed to hospital by emergency run.

Arif Choudhury, who identified himself as the child's uncle, said he found the boy's mother cradling him in her arms just outside his home after the crash.

"I woke up to this screaming," he said.

Police say the accused will be in court Tuesday morning, but that they will not be naming him or revealing what courthouse he will be in.