According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 800 people lost their lives in street racing incidents around the country from 2000 to 2010. Law enforcement and government agencies around the country are now saying that is increasing, leading to more injuries and deaths of both drivers and innocent bystanders.
According to a story appearing on the KTLA website, police in Santa Ana have arrested a man in connection to a crash that killed a pedestrian on the night of Sunday, July 5th.
The Santa Ana Police Department received multiple calls of a man lying in the roadway near the intersection of Bristol and Myrtle Streets at approximately 10:00 p.m.
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Cpl. Anthony Bertagna, a spokesperson for Santa Ana Police, told reporters that officers responding to the scene found a man who had suffered severe injuries lying in the streets. Despite attempts to render aid to the victim, he died at the scene. Authorities did not release his identity pending notification of family.
Investigators believe that the fatal crash occurred while the victim was attempting to cross the intersection. Eyewitnesses to the crash said that the vehicle that hit the victim had been involved in an illegal street race before hitting the pedestrian.
The suspect driver, 19-year-old Bryan Lemus, reportedly remained at the scene of the crash after hitting the victim with his Chevrolet Camaro. Lemus was arrested and is being held on multiple charges, including suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.
So far, police have not located a second vehicle. Anyone with additional information regarding the crash is asked to contact the Santa Ana Police Department at (714) 245-8200.
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