Maybe that was the wrong choice of words, IDK.
Let's just consider for a minute how much force it would take to hit a 13 y.o. hard enough to kill them with one or maybe two blows, shall we? Unless he's been trained as a mercenary or was in special forces or something, it would have to be multiple blows, IMO. Say they were driving down the road, and he becomes angry at Dylan for something and backhands him. He can't continue hitting him unless he stops the truck. What on earth could make a father SO angry that he would continue hitting him? And in the meantime, between the first blow and all that follow, would Dylan just sit there and take it? Would he just cower in the corner and keep on letting him hit him, and not try to fight back? Or better yet, get up and run off? I'm pretty sure he could outrun his dad and most kids would take a chance on breaking an arm or a leg jumping out the door rather than being beat to death, don't you think?
I know there are kids who are taken to ER's and end up dying because some crazy boyfriend or stepdad punched them too many times or kicked them or shook them too hard. But these are babies and toddlers, usually, not 13 y.o. boys. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I find it very hard to believe that a father would let his rage get so out of control, that he would beat him literally to death without realizing what he's doing until it's too late.