WADSWORTH, Ill. (AP) -- A 24-year-old Wisconsin mother and her 1-year-old son have died in a head-on collision in northern Illinois that authorities believe was alcohol-related.

Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Susan Ewald says Nicole Polk of Algoma, Wis., was traveling southbound on I-94 Friday night near Russell Road when her car crossed into the northbound lanes, striking another vehicle.

Ewald says open alcohol was found in Polk's car, and an autopsy is pending to determine whether alcohol was involved in the crash.

Polk and her son, Tevin Temple, were declared dead at the scene by the Lake County coroner's office. Her 2-year-old son, Toni Temple, who was also in the car, was taken by helicopter to an area hospital in critical condition.

Four people in the second vehicle were hospitalized with minor injuries and have been released.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)