SACRAMENTO - The parents of a 4-year-old boy killed in an auto wreck in Sacramento on Saturday afternoon say road rage is to blame for their son's death.
The California Highway Patrol says Joe Chanthavong, 26, was driving with his wife and son in his Honda Accord when Chanthavong claims a black Chevy Avalanche allegedly pulled up next to him and tried forcing his car off the road.
Chanthavong lost control just north of the Garden Highway off-ramp and continued down an embankment, rolled and landed upright in the grass.
Ryan Jayden Chanthavong, 4, was ejected from the vehicle and killed.
CHP Officer Lizz Dutton said the child was not properly secured in a child restraint seat.
The boy's mother Melinda Phouglonghong, 23, said she never checked to make sure he was wearing a seat belt.
"He buckled himself in. I taught him how to buckle himself in. They asked me if I checked. I didn't double-check," said Phouglonghong.
Phouglonghong and her husband were transported to UC Davis Medical Center with minor cuts and abrasions.
Officers say Chanthavong was driving without a license and has a lengthy criminal past including felony assault and drug possession. It was unknown if drug use was a contributing factor pending a toxicology report.
This collision is still under investigation and charges were pending.
Anyone with information on the vehicle, its occupants, or this collision, is asked to contact the North Sacramento CHP office at (916) 338-6710 or CHP Communications Center at (916) 861-1300.
North Sacramento Area CHP