Drag Racing Crash Kills 9-Year-Old, Injures Another Child In Dallas
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A 9-year-old girl was killed and another child was critically injured after the vehicle they were in was hit by a car that was apparently drag racing in Dallas Friday evening, police say.
Police responded to the crash at around 7:30 p.m. in the 10700 block of Lake June Road, where the 9-year-old girl was ejected and another child in a car seat was injured.
The 9-year-old girl, later identified as Olivia Mendez, was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her 3-year-old sister was transported in critical condition.
Through the investigation, police say they found that three cars were drag racing eastbound on Lake June Road. During that time, the children's vehicle was making a left turn westbound off Lake June Road when it was hit by one of the drag racing cars.
According to police, the driver of the children's vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries and another passenger was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
The family said Mendez had just finished her fourth grade year at Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School. A memorial was set up for the 9-year-old at the site of the crash.
Her grandmother was at the memorial where she was in mourning for the life taken too soon.
"I would like for this to stop, for the police to give this more attention," Mendez's grandmother said in Spanish. "It's not right for them to take the life of a 9-year-old girl."
The driver of the racing car was taken to the hospital but was later released from treatment. There has been no word on what charges he may face as he remains in custody.
Although the two other racing cars fled the scene, they were both later found by police -- one in Mesquite and another in Dallas. The drivers are being interviewed and may also face charges.
Neighbors in the area said drag racing has been a big problem in the neighborhood.
"People need to be aware of the lives in this area. People walk to and from school with their kids. They need to be aware that there's no room for that," said resident Ruben Gonzales.