A 13-year-old boy was behind the wheel of a stolen Kia packed full of kids when he crashed into another car before dawn Tuesday, killing the other driver, police said.

The violent crash happened before sunrise Tuesday at Clopper Road and Great Seneca Highway in Germantown, Maryland, authorities said.

First responders arrived about 5:25 a.m. and found a white 2015 Kia Optima and a blue 2007 Toyota Matrix with extensive damage.

The driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene. Montgomery County police identified him Wednesday as William Vance Payne II, 58, of Berryville, Virginia. He was a father of five and had a long career as a mechanical engineer.

“William Vance Payne II was known as Vance. He was 58. He was kind and generous to a fault,” his wife, Lisa Payne, said in a brief statement.

Police said seven kids – ages 12 to 15 – were in the Kia at the time of the crash.

The Kia’s driver, believed to be a 13-year-old boy, was rushed to a hospital in critical but stable condition, police said. The other minors, four girls and two boys, were taken to hospitals with “injuries of varying severity,” police said. They said two of the girls are 14, while the others are 13 and 12. The two other boys from the Kia are 15 and 12, police said.

Police had received a report of someone driving erratically in the area. Someone headed to the Fifth District police station to report it, but by the time they arrived, the crash had already happened.

“The preliminary investigation determined that the white Kia Optima, reported stolen from a Montgomery County residence several hours after the collision, entered the intersection and struck a Toyota Matrix traveling on Clopper Road,” police said in a statement.

Loved ones said Payne was on his way to work at the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) that morning and was only about three miles — a roughly 10-minute drive — from work when he was killed in the crash.

He had worked at NIST for 29 years, most recently as a mechanical engineer in their Engineering Laboratory’s Building Energy and Environment Division, NIST officials said Wednesday.

“His research focused on making residential heat pump and air conditioning systems more reliable, safe and efficient for the homeowners and residents who rely on them. Our thoughts are with Vance’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” NIST’s statement concluded.

A family friend said Payne was close to reaching retirement.

‘Parents, just make sure you know where your children are’

Shiera Goff of Montgomery County police said none of the minors from the Kia are old enough to drive, and some were not secure in their seats. Some were sitting on others’ laps. Two were in critical condition as of Tuesday.

“At this age, they’re not supposed to be driving,” Goff said. “You do not have a license at the age of 15. Right now, I would say, parents, just make sure you know where your children are. This happened at 5 o’clock in the morning.”

The circumstances surrounding how the minors were able to steal the car remain unclear. Neighbors who live nearby said they were stunned to learn about what happened.

“I can’t even be able to imagine one of the family members getting that call, right? Yeah. So that’s kind of where I’m stuck. God — my heart’s out to the family and the other people that were involved in the accident,” Cleveland Harrison said.

Dozens of first responders rushed to the crash scene. Five ambulances, five medic units and four engines were seen after the initial call.

The county’s crash reconstruction unit is investigating. Police said that investigation may take several weeks or months, and any charges stemming from the crash will be determined by the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office after evidence is presented to them.

An online fundraiser has now been created to help Payne’s family with expenses as they navigate this difficult loss.