BLOOMINGTON - A 16-year-old boy who was critically injured Monday when he was run over by a minivan underwent surgery Friday and has a "long road ahead," his mother said in an e-mail to The Pantagraph.

Brandon Major, 16, remained in critical condition Friday morning at BroMenn Regional Medical Center.

Police said Major and a friend were on the hood of a van driven by an unlicensed 15-year-old when the vehicle stopped, throwing them both to the ground at the O'Neil Park parking lot. Major was run over and the friend was uninjured in the incident described by police as horseplay gone awry.

The driver's mother, Stephanie Uzueta, 39, of the 800 block of South Summit Street, posted $100 after her arrest on charges of child endangerment. Uzueta is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 29.

Her daughter was issued tickets charging her with aggravated reckless driving, driving without a valid license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The girl, whose name was not released because she is a juvenile, was released to the custody of her mother.

Police said the teenager did not have a learner's permit to drive the Ford Windstar van that is owned by her mother.

'I know he is tough'

Major's mother, Elizabeth Schneider, said in an e-mail Friday afternoon that the teen was in surgery and that "we are all praying for his recovery."

"He's a wonderful young man with a big heart towards everyone," Schneider said of her son, who "loved hanging out with his friends and skateboarding. … I know he is tough and will fight his way through all of these obstacles.

"Just tell everyone to keep him in their prayers," she said.

There have been hundreds of students and family members at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal, since the accident happened, family friend Lori Jacobs said Thursday.

Major may be transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for specialized care for spinal injuries, Jacobs said.

A Web site where people can post messages of support and update on his progress has been set up at Caringbridge.org.

"He has good friends and a big family," Jacobs said.

The Brandon Major Benefit Fund has been set up to help cover his medical costs, Jacobs said. The family doesn't have medical insurance, she said.

Checks should be made out to Schneider and mailed to National City Bank, Attention: Brandon Major Benefit Fund, 202 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701.

Edith Brady-Lunny, Phyllis Coulter and Ryan Denham contributed to this report.