Dominic Gonzalez and Antonio “Tony” Gonzalez have been named as the youngsters killed while traveling in a vehicle after being struck head-on by another vehicle said to be street racing in Mead Valley, California.

Brothers, Dominic, 6, and 8-year-old Tony, were killed in a head-on crash that happened early Tuesday evening in the town of Mead Valley, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Advertisement

Police say a speeding car struck their brother’s vehicle head-on. The boys were pronounced dead at the scene.

Their older brother, who was operating the Nissan Versa, was hospitalized and later released.

The driver of a Honda Accord, the other vehicle involved in the crash, suffered moderate injuries and was also transported to a hospital.

He was later arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.

According to the CHP, the crash occurred during a race between a Nissan Altima and a Honda Accord at around 5:39 p.m. As the drivers sped toward a crest in the road while occupying both lanes; the Honda struck the Versa killing the boys.

The driver of the Nissan Altima, stopped momentarily, and then fled the scene.

Relatives of the victims said the brothers were on their way to pick up two sisters from an after-school program when the crash occurred. source

After the collision, witnesses said the young Versa driver was hammering tears on the side of the road as family members tried to console him.