Toddler Dead, Mom Hurt When Car Is Broadsided During A Police Pursuit

LANCASTER, Calif. (AP) — A toddler is dead and her mother is hospitalized after a reckless driving suspect fleeing deputies at high speed slammed into their car at a Southern California desert intersection.

The 45-year-old suspect, whose name is being withheld, has been arrested and booked for investigation of felony vehicular manslaughter. It's unknown if drugs or alcohol are a factor.

A Los Angeles County sheriff's news release says deputies in Lancaster spotted the suspect's vehicle swerving into oncoming traffic and ignoring red lights at speeds reaching 100 mph on Thursday evening.

Deputies pursuing the vehicle were a block away when the suspect's car broadsided a Lexus, killing the 2-year-old girl and seriously injuring her mother.

The names of the victims haven't been released.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.