2 Boys Killed As Street Race Plows Into Them Near SWR: CHP

PERRIS, CA — Two boys were killed after they were struck head-on by a vehicle taking part in an illegal street race near Southwest Riverside County, CHP officials say. The boys were just 6 and 8 years old.

The crash happened around 5:40 p.m. Monday in the Perris area when a blue Honda Accord and a black Nissan Altima were racing along Oakwood Street at Brown Street, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Dan Olivas.

"The vehicles began racing on Oakwood in an easterly direction," Olivas said in a news release. "As the vehicles approached the crest of the street with the Honda traveling on the wrong side of the roadway, the driver of the Honda observed a Nissan Versa directly ahead."

The Accord slammed into the Versa, which had the two young boys inside, according to Olivas. The boys and the man driving the Altima were all rushed to the hospital. Though the man is expected to survive, the two youth were pronounced dead at the hospital.

The boys were identified as Antonio Gonzalez, 8, and Dominic Gonzalez, 6, according to coroner's and family reports. Both were residents of Perris.

A GoFundMe page raise funds to cover funeral expenses for the boys described them as "full of life."

"They loved each other so much that no matter how heartbreaking it was for us (who) stayed behind, but they couldn't live without each other, and both left us with voids in our hearts," relatives who set up the page wrote. Donations can be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/dominickampantonios- funeral-expense .

The person who was driving the boys was hurt, but his injuries were not life-threatening.

"The driver of the Honda Accord sustained minor to moderate injuries and was also transported to a nearby hospital," Olivas said. "He will be facing vehicular manslaughter charges."

As for the driver of the Nissan Altima that was taking part in the race — that person allegedly took off. CHP officials are asking for help finding that person and said they think the Altima is possibly a 2005 model.

"Anyone with information regarding this collision or the location of the driver of the Nissan Altima, is asked to contact the Riverside California Highway Patrol Accident Investigation Unit, at (951) 637-8000," Olivas said.

— Patch file photo by MarekPiotrowski, Shutterstock.com

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