Feb 17, 2008 9:46 pm US/Eastern
Deadly Newark Accident Blamed On Drag Racing
NEWARK, Del. (CBS 3) ―
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A 20-year-old male passenger of a red BMW convertible died and a 19-year-old female passenger hospitalized after what Delaware State Police said was the fatal end result of a drag race.
CBS
A high speed drag race turned deadly in New Castle County Saturday afternoon.
A 20-year-old male passenger of a red BMW convertible died and his 19-year-old female passenger was hospitalized after what Delaware State Police said was the fatal end result of a drag race.
The accident happened on northbound Interstate 95 just after 5 p.m. when witnesses noticed at least three cars speeding when the BMW lost control, became airborne and slammed into trees. It finally came to rest on its mangled roof.
"It just goes through my mind to have to teach kids to drive better and also they probably need more enforcement," driver Fred Conjour said.
Witnesses said the deceased driver, Michael A. Tirado of Newark, was trapped beneath the vehicle. The female passenger, Viviana R. Londono of Kearny, N.J., was ejected from the vehicle. She was transported to Christiana Medical Center, treated and released.
Meantime motorists who witnessed the fatal one car accident followed the other drag race driver and reported the make and model of their car to the authorities.
A short time later police were able to pull the car over and took two men into custody for questioning.
"You wish people would be smart about it but I guess there's got to be a bunch of daredevils you know think they are cool," driver Kyle Rowe said.
"My kids didn't have that problem because most of the time they didn't have a new car that would go that fast," Conjour said.
As a result of the accident, the two right hand lanes of I-95 were closed for several hours causing delays for drivers.
Police said initially three cars were involved in the drag race and appears that they did not know one another. Alcohol is not considered to be a factor.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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