Houston street racing: a dangerous activity with deadly consequences

There are areas in Houston where street racing, an activity that involves cars traveling at high rates of speed in unsanctioned races, is popular.  Given the high rate of speed and lack of safety barriers and equipment found on traditional race tracks, it is not surprising that ‘accidents happen’.

Not only are drivers who participate in street racing and their passengers at risk for serious injury or death, but bystanders and observers can be hit and hurt or killed as well.  While street races may be thrilling for participants and observers, they are illegal and – as was the case recently in Houston – sometimes deadly.

A young man was killed and the driver and another passenger injured when the driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree.  Police believe that the driver was traveling as fast as 89 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone while apparently racing another vehicle.

The driver and passenger had to be airlifted to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center to be treated, and their names and medical conditions have not been released.  The 17 year old, Anthony Rodriguez, the front-seat passenger, died at the scene.

The family of the young man who lost his life may be able to hold the driver of the speeding car responsible for his actions, but it will never bring Rodriguez back to life.  This is truly a tragic case of an unnecessary death.