The single-vehicle incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. on the southbound side of I-5 between Smokey Bear Road and Vista Del Lago, according to Sgt. Matt Barnachia of the California Highway Patrol.

Barnachia said the vehicle, a grey sedan, likely blew a tire, causing it to hit the center divider. The force of the impact probably caused the 9-month-old baby to be ejected from the car.

The infant was critically injured and was airlifted to an unspecified hospital. The highway was temporarily closed down in both directions to allow the helicopter to land, causing minor delays for about 10 minutes.

Three other adults and one other child were in the vehicle at the time of the collision, but none appeared to be injured.