13-year-old drove pickup truck involved in a head-on collision that killed 9

{O/C} Astounding revelation that a 13-year-old was behind the wheel in a tragic traffic accident in West Texas, which killed nine people, seven of whom were from a college golf team as NBC news explains.

{SOT}

Tonight, stunning new details in the fiery collision killing nine, including seven members of a college golf team.

Federal investigators revealing the driver of the pickup truck that struck the team van wasn't old enough to legally drive.

{Soundbite} BRUCE LANDSBERG, NTSB Vice Chairman: A 13-year-old child was behind the wheel of the pickup truck.

Federal agents with the NTSB say the 13-year-old was driving with a 38-year-old man in the passenger seat. Both died at the scene.

Investigators say new evidence suggests what could have caused the pickup to veer suddenly into the other lane.

{Soundbite} A front tyre which was a spare tyre had failed, which resulted in the vehicle pulling hard to the left and crossing into the opposing lane.

The parents of 22-year-old Jackson Zinn, who died at the scene, say they're shocked.

{Soundbite} Parents of JACKSON ZINN, Deceased University of the Southwest Golfer: So tragic, but I don't want to get hung up on the details. I want to celebrate my son's life.

The University of the Southwest sharing their heartbreak.

{Soundbite} PAULA SMITH, University of Southwest Financial Services Vice President: Our institution is crushed and broken but strong.

But tonight, a glimmer of hope after being airlifted from a fiery mangled scene, Dayton Price and Hayden Underhill, the only survivors on board the team van, are improving in a Lubbock, Texas hospital.

{Standup}

MORGAN CHESKY, NBC News: And tonight, authorities stress that having a 13-year-old behind the wheel is a clear violation of the law. They tell me that this investigation is ongoing as many questions remain.