Two men who allegedly fatally struck a woman during a South L.A. street race have been charged with murder. This may be a sign that prosecutors are seeking new ways to curb racing and sideshows.
Police say Javorrie Murphy and Deven Wagner were engaged in a street race near the USC campus on July 21 when Murphy hit 20-year-old Anna Solis. The two men left the scene without helping Solis, who died at the scene.
A GoFundMe for Solis’ funeral has reached more than $24,000 as of Friday morning.
“Anna is a beautiful soul and we will all remember her for her beauty and her love,” Solis’ boyfriend Alberto Lopez wrote on the fundraiser page. “Anna was passionate about her music and the Los Angeles scene. Helping where she could and also performing her heart out at any given chance.”
Murphy and Wagner were both charged this week with second-degree murder – a much more serious offense than vehicular homicide, carrying a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
LAPD Central Traffic Division Detective Daniel Ramierz says it took a great deal of evidence to arrest and charge the two drivers, from security video footage to parts of the cars left behind by the impact – a sign that prosecutors are willing to go the extra mile to hold drivers accountable.
Ramirez also said an increasing number of cars are being confiscated and turned over to the Department of Motor Vehicles, where state referees can order the removal of illegal modifications.
“People want to fix up their cars to make them go faster,” he told KNX News’ Pete Demetriou. “If they do end up getting one of these tickets, they’re gonna have to restore and pay whatever fees it is to get their cars restored back to stock. That is definitely not cheap.”
Murphy and Wagner are both currently being held on $2 million bail, with arraignments set for September 1.
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