Head-on collision in Merced kills 9-year-old boy

Police believe the three boys in one of the cars were all brothers. But officers didn't learn the youngest victim had been in the crash until after the two teens were already on their way to the hospital.

This is the aftermath of the tragic crash that killed a nine year old boy. Merced Police say 18-year-old Nicholas Saucedo was driving a black Nissan east on Yosemite Avenue when for some reason he swerved into oncoming traffic and slammed into a white Toyota. He then skidded over the curb and hit a tree before crashing into a brick wall.

Lt. Roger Mcintyre said, "We're in preliminary stages of the investigation, but it appears he may have been going a little too fast."

An ambulance rushed Nicholas to a Modesto hospital with visible head trauma. Meanwhile, a helicopter landed nearby at Merced College to fly his unconscious 16-year-old passenger to the same hospital with head and leg injuries. But it wasn't until about a half hour later when a tow truck moved the car that officers discovered nine year old Daniel Saucedo lying on the ground near the bushes. He was rushed to Mercy Medical Center in Merced, where he died from his injuries.

Crash victim, Elaine Callis said, "It was, just not something you want to go through, not something you'd wish anybody to go through at all."

75-year-old Elaine Callis was driving her white Camry home from a doctor's appointment when the black Altima hit her head on. She says her airbags and seatbelt allowed her to walk away from the crash. "The police couldn't believe: that's the person that was in that car!"

Paramedics had Callis go to the hospital for testing as a precaution, but she says she just feels sore from her seatbelt and shaken up by the situation. She has that to be thankful for this holiday, but knows another family is dealing with tragedy.

Lt. Roger Mcintyre adds, "It's especially sad at this time of year. We're all looking forward to having nice holidays and visiting with our families and things, but these things unfortunately happen, and we just hope the family can make it through this."

Police are still investigating whether alcohol was a factor in the crash. They say it does not appear any of the boys in the black car were wearing seatbelts.