The crash happened just before 6 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Slauson and Dice.
Officers said the father's Ford Explorer was driving westbound on Slauson when he made a left turn at Dice and was struck by another SUV that had the right-of-way.
The Explorer spun around several times and his son was ejected. It was unclear if he was wearing a seat belt.
Witnesses performed CPR on the boy at the scene, but he eventually died at the hospital.
The father was identified as Jesus Tamayo, 45, of Bell Gardens.
Investigators say the father is expected to face charges that include manslaughter, possession of a controlled substance and child endangerment.