Although street racing is known to be a potentially deadly activity, it continues to fascinate some California drivers. Drivers who defy the law by taking part in street races will have to accept the fact that they will be held responsible for personal injuries or even fatalities caused by crashes during street racing. Unfortunately, if a fatal accident occurs, it is often the passengers in these speeding cars who lose their lives.
An 18-year-old driver was arrested on a charge of felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence after a crash that occurred during an alleged street race in Riverside County. An accident report indicates that this young driver and another 19-year-old man were racing on a Lake Elsinore road just after midnight on a recent Sunday. The 18-year-old reportedly failed to maintain control of his vehicle and smashed into a utility pole.
The impact caused the car to split in two, killing a 19-year-old male passenger. Firefighters reported that there were other passengers in that car, but no other injuries were suffered. The other driver who was involved in the race was also arrested later on similar charges. However, the driver who crashed was also charged with driving while impaired — a misdemeanor charge.
The surviving family members of the young passenger who lost his life in this fatal accident are entitled to pursue financial relief. They may hold the driver accountable by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against him. Before a California civil court awards monetary recovery of documented claims for emotional and financial damages, negligence on the part of the driver will have to be established to substantiate the claims.
Source: Los Angeles Times, “2 arrested after deadly street racing crash in Lake Elsinore“, Matt Hamilton, May 10, 2016
