The highway patrol says an Isuzu truck was trying to pass another car when it lost control and crashed into a group of five kids who were walking along the roadway.
The 12-year-old boy died at the scene.
Another boy was injured and is now being treated at Community Regional Medical Center in Downtown Fresno.
Shortly after the crash some of the children's parents showed up at the scene.
"One of the children we believed called the family on their mobile phone and some of the family showed up and were understandably quite upset. One of the children had passed away and as anyone can imagine, that can be a stressful time for anyone, especially a parent," California Highway Patrol Sgt. John Johnson said.
The driver of the Isuzu pickup ran off after the crash. The highway patrol is still searching for him.
