OPP say a six-year-old boy's condition has been slightly upgraded after the child was struck by a vehicle outside a Mac's Convenience Store in Midhurst.
Initially, police said his injuries were life-threatening.
"His injuries are now considered very serious but not life-threatening," said OPP Const. Mark Kinney.
Huronia West OPP, Springwater Fire and County of Simcoe Paramedics responded to the scene around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday.
In a news release, police said an initial police investigation revealed that a driver of a motor vehicle drove forward into a young male walking on the sidewalk.
Kinney confirms witness accounts that at one point, the boy was pinned against a wall when the vehicle mounted the curb at the store located on Bayfield St. North and Finlay Mill Rd.
"It was horrific," said a witness who saw the injured child on the ground but asked not to be named. "I'm in shock seeing that little guy. Just a little guy. People were crying. It was absolutely terrible."
Passersby came to the child's aid and asked nearby store owners for a first aid kit before emergency crews arrived.
Police say the child was taken to a hospital in Toronto.
The impact of the vehicle against the brick wall knocked off a display unit inside the Mac's store according to people who were there that spoke with BarrieToday.
Police refuse to comment on reports that the teenage driver was assaulted after the crash.
"I can only reply that the investigation into this collision is still ongoing," Kinney said.
Witnesses say a man who appeared to be the teen's father showed up at the scene and questioned what witnesses say were apparent injuries on the teen.
"He was yelling 'Who beat my son up! Who beat my son up.' Then the cops had to settle him down. I don't know if he knew his kid had injured a young child or not at that point."
Another boy who was in the vehicle, who witnesses say looked about 13, was holding the man back saying 'Settle down. Settle down.'
"I told the father there was a young child that was pinned against the wall," the witness said.
OPP are also not commenting on whether further charges are pending.
A 16-year-old male from Springwater Township is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
His first court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 7 in Collingwood.
