Last Updated on May 16, 2018 by CCAR Staff
The two boys killed in a head-on crash Tuesday that investigators suspect was caused by street racers have been identified as brothers Dominic and Antonio Gonzalez, ages 6 and 7 respectively, authorities said.
Counselors were on hand Wednesday at Manuel L. Real Elementary School in Perris, where Dominic was a kindergartner and Antonio was in second grade, said Val Verde Unified School District spokesman Jonathan Moreno. He said the boys were brothers.
“We are heartbroken, and we are going to provide whatever services our students need,” Moreno said.
The boys were riding in a Nissan Versa along Oakwood Avenue in Mead Valley Tuesday evening when a blue Honda Accord, speeding on the wrong side of the road, smashed head-on into the Versa, California Highway Patrol officials said.
Authorities say they believe the Honda’s driver was racing with a black Nissan Altima. Investigators continued searching for the driver of that second vehicle.
The children were rushed to a hospital but died within a few minutes of each other. The boys were later identified by the Riverside County Coroner.
The drivers of the Honda and Nissan both suffered minor injuries and were taken to a hospital, officials said. The Honda driver will face vehicular-manslaughter charges.
The CHP was asking for the public’s help in finding the Altima, believed to possibly be a 2005 model. Investigators ask anyone with information about the collision to contact the CHP at 951-637-8000.
