Duncanville Police Chief Matthew Stogner said a white Chrysler 300 and a black Chrysler 300 were traveling “at a very high rate of speed” before the crash
Credit: FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth/YouTube
NEED TO KNOW
- Three people, including a 12-year-old boy, died in a Texas car crash involving an alleged street racer on Monday, June 8
- Two men were taken into custody in connection with the crash
- Police believe the crash stemmed from illegal street racing and are continuing to investigate the case
Three people, including a 12-year-old boy, have died and another child remains in critical condition after their car was struck by an alleged street racer in Texas.
The Duncanville Police Department said officers were called to the scene at around 8:45 p.m. local time on Monday, June 8, at the intersection of West Wheatland Road and South Cedar Ridge Drive, according to a press release.
Police found there were two vehicles involved in the crash, a white Chrysler 300 carrying one person and a gray Toyota Corolla carrying four people.
Duncanville Police Chief Matthew Stogner said the first officer arrived at the accident 22 seconds after receiving the call and began lifesaving efforts, in a press conference broadcast by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth.
Credit: Google Maps
He added that the white Chrysler 300 struck the passenger side of the Corolla.
The 50-year-old female driver and the 78-year-old front passenger of the Corolla were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two 12-year-old boys, who were also in the Corolla, were transported to local hospitals, where one was later pronounced dead. The second child remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
According to NBC 5, a family member of the victims told the outlet that 12-year old Lucas Reyna, his 50-year old mother Maria Rodriguez and 78-year old grandmother were killed in the crash. Lucas' cousin is the child who has been hospitalized, per the outlet.
The driver of the white Chrysler 300, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, did not sustain any major injuries, per the release.
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Investigators have determined that the crash was likely the result of an illegal street racing incident involving two vehicles, based on evidence collected at the scene and statements from multiple witnesses, the release said.
"Preliminary findings indicate the vehicles were racing westbound on W. Wheatland Road when one of them struck the Corolla," police said in their release.
Stogner said a white Chrysler 300 and a black Chrysler 300 were traveling “at a very high rate of speed” before the collision, during the press conference.
Witness Miraz Carlos told FOX4 Dallas-Fort Worth: “I was pumping gas when I heard the impact … we were trying to help, but there was nothing we could do.”
Two men have been taken into custody in connection with the crash, the release said.
Charges are pending and are expected to include multiple felony offenses. The identities of those arrested are being withheld pending the formal filing of charges.
“The decisions made in a matter of seconds can have devastating and irreversible consequences for innocent people and their families,” Stogner said in the press conference. “The loss of three lives and one victim with life-altering injuries in this incident is a stark reminder of those dangers.”
This investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or may have information relevant to this crash is encouraged to contact Officer Luna at 972-707-3854 or the Duncanville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 972-780-5037.
The Duncanville Police Department has been contacted by PEOPLE for further information, but did not immediately respond.
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