A man and his dog have died after being injured in a car crash, which officials said, was caused by two street racers along Huntington Drive in San Marino the morning of July 4. According to a KTLA news report, police arrested two 17-year-old males on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter in connection with the crash, which took place at Huntington Drive and Kenilworth Avenue.
Horrific High-Speed Crash
Police said the two vehicles, a Mercedes and a Honda, were seen traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on Huntington Drive, approaching Kenilworth Avenue. Witnesses told police that the two vehicles appeared to be racing when they collided. One of the vehicles lost control striking the pedestrian and his dog in the center median.
Officials said the Honda made a sudden lane change and clipped the rear corner of the Mercedes, which sent the Mercedes spinning out of control on the center divider, hitting the victim and his dog. The man’s girlfriend, who was about 200 feet behind him, witnessed the crash. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. The suspects were taken to juvenile hall. Video evidence showed the cars were traveling well above the speed limit of 45 mph. The investigation is ongoing.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of this victim for their terrible loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Street Racing in the Southland
According to a recent investigation done by the Los Angeles Times, 179 people have died in Los Angeles County from 2000 and 2017 as a result of accidents where street racing was suspected. The report said from July 2016 to July 2017, the California Highway Patrol recorded nearly 700 racing incidents in Los Angeles County. Those races involved roughly 17,000 vehicles and 22,000 people, according to the CHP data.
There is no question that driving at a high rate of speed on a public roadway is not only dangerous for everyone on the road, but it is also illegal under California law.
California Vehicle Code section 23109 (a) states: “A person shall not engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway. California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.”
In instances where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased accident victims can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship. An experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer can help victims and families better understand their legal rights and options.
Source: https://ktla.com/2019/07/04/man-and-dog-killed-after-being-struck-by-suspected-street-racer-in-san-marino-2-teens-arrested/