Pedestrian Fatally Struck By Vehicle In Downey; 2 Street Racers Arrested
DOWNEY (CBSLA.com) — Two suspected street racers have been arrested in connection with the death of a pedestrian in Downey, police said Monday.
According to the Downey Police Department, a 20-year-old South Gate man and a 34-year-old Downey man were both arrested and booked for vehicular manslaughter. The identities of the suspects have not been released.
officers were sent shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday to the area of Bellflower Boulevard and Imperial Highway for report of an injury traffic collision involving multiple vehicles.
Upon their arrival, authorities located three vehicles -- a black BMW 382i, a gray Hyundai Tiburon and a Nissan Altima -- crashed in the area.
Paramedics located an adult man on the southeast corner of the intersection. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim's identity is being withheld pending family notification.
A preliminary investigation revealed the BMW and Hyundai were street racing on Imperial Highway before the collision occurred.
According to witnesses, both vehicles were traveling at speeds close to 100 mph as they approached the intersection of Bellflower Boulevard.
During this time, the Nissan, which carried three occupants, made a left turn onto Bellflower Boulevard from Imperial Highway.
Police said the driver of the Hyundai managed to avoid hitting the Nissan but crashed into the center divider. The driver of the BMW, however, struck the Nissan before careening out of control and onto the sidewalk, subsequently hitting the male pedestrian who was standing on the street corner.
Three passengers who traveled in the Nissan were transported to a hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident has been urged to contact the Downey Police Department at (562) 904-2339.
