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Street racing leaves two teens fighting for their lives
Posted: Sep 15, 2010 6:09 PM by Monica Quintero
Updated: Sep 16, 2010 12:43 PM
Two Lompoc teens are fighting for their lives after the California Highway Patrol says a group of teens was racing two vehicles near Lompoc Tuesday night. During the race, one vehicle crashed on the 500 block of South I Street.
Sergeant Tom Mullen from the California Highway Patrol said one of the witnesses told officers, "He said he could see the vehicle rolling and as it was sideways in the air, bodies were being ejected from the vehicle."
CHP says it all started when two vehicles were racing at speeds of 70 to 80 miles per hour. The driver of the car lost control and crashed. "One person is at Cottage Hospital with a severe head injury, the other is in a Lompoc hospital with severe internal injuries. Both of them are fighting for their lives right now," said Sergeant Mullen.
Officers do suspect alcohol and drugs were a factor but are not commenting on whether it was gang related. The drivers are not being identified since the investigation is on-going. But CHP says the driver of the car has been charged with reckless driving causing injuries. The driver of the other vehicle believed to have been racing was charged with felony drunk driving.
Back in August, a similar situation took place in the same area which left four teens injured. Sergeant Mullen said, "They rolled their vehicle and the 17-year-old driver sustained a broken neck. It doesn't pay to speed, it doesn't pay to race."
CHP says in both incidents there were teens not wearing seat belts.
So far, officers say they've identified eight people in the latest crash. But they're still investigating and believe there could be even more teens involved. The drivers aren't the only ones who could face charges, the passengers could be charged with participation on a street race.
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