Two teens, 17, arrested over alleged street-racing death on Independence Day in California

Two teenagers are arrested after a college professor, 49, and his dog are killed by street racers in crash while he was jogging with his girlfriend

  • College professor Gabriel Crispo died as a result of an alleged ‘street-race’ on Independence Day
  • Crispo was jogging with his girlfriend and dog at 10:35am when a car struck him
  • He was pronounced dead at the scene, in what Mayor Steven Huang described as a ‘preventable’ and ‘avoidable’ death 
  • Police report that the two vehicles were traveling at a ‘high rate of speed’ and ‘appeared to be racing’ when the one allegedly lost control 
  • Two 17-years-old have since been arrested in connection with vehicular manslaughter – but have not yet been named
  • Huang said additional measures will be put into place to focus on dangerous driving and speeding – as well as educational programs  

Two teenage street-racers who allegedly struck and killed a college professor on Independence Day have been arrested.

Gabriel Crispo, 49, was believed to have been out jogging with his girlfriend and dog, when he was killed in San Marino, California.

He was hit at around 10.35am, on Huntington Drive near Kenilworth Avenue, Detective Vince Wilson told NBC Los Angeles.

Two vehicles were traveling at a ‘high rate of speed’ and ‘appeared to be racing’ when they collided, causing one to lose control, Wilson said. 

Crispo, who taught English as a second language at Pasadena City College, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Crispo was believed to have been out running with his dog and girlfriend when he was struck by a vehicle on July 4

Gabriel Crispo died at the scene after being struck by a vehicle allegedly involved in a street race on July 4

One of the vehicles alleged to have been involved in the street race, which led to the death of the college professor in San Marino

One of the vehicles alleged to have been involved in the street race, which led to the death of the college professor in San Marino

The road where professor Crispo was killed during an alleged street race on July 4

The road where professor Crispo was killed during an alleged street race on July 4

Crispo was an English as a second language teacher at Pasadena City College, in California

Crispo was an English as a second language teacher at Pasadena City College, in California 

Two 17-years-old allegedly involved in the street race, have since been taken into custody on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter according to San Marino Police Department

The death was both ‘preventable’ and ‘avoidable’ Mayor Steven Huang said on Friday. 

Crispo died on July 4 in what was described as 'avoidable' and 'preventable' by the Mayor

Crispo died on July 4 in what was described as ‘avoidable’ and ‘preventable’ by the Mayor

‘This was not an accident but the result of two juveniles entering our city, racing each other resulting in the death of an innocent man,’ he told City News Service.

‘This is a day where we normally celebrate the birth of our nation, a day we celebrate with family, friends and our community. 

‘But instead three families now mourn the loss of an innocent man and the changed lives of two juveniles who now must live with this tragedy for the rest of their lives.’

The police department are planning additional traffic enforcement to ‘focus on speeding and unsafe driving,’ Huang added.

They will additionally begin a ‘traffic education program’ for residents and young drivers within local schools because of the fatality. 

Working with the City Manager, Marcella Marlowe, and the city’s Public Safety Commission, they will plan further regulations.

Huang told NBC, that Marlowe will direct city departments, to develop a strategy, that will ‘ensure this type of incident will not reoccur in San Marino.’ 

Anyone with information should call Wilson at 626-300-0728 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). 

Passersby gather to express their condolences at the location on Huntington Drive near Kenilworth Avenue where Crispo was killed on July 4

Passersby gather to express their condolences at the location on Huntington Drive near Kenilworth Avenue where Crispo was killed on July 4

Candles and flowers were left to express condolence for Professor Crispo who lost his life on Independence Day, a day many others would have been celebrating

Candles and flowers were left to express condolence for Professor Crispo who lost his life on Independence Day, a day many others would have been celebrating

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk