DUI, Street racing crash results in death of 61-year-old
A 61-year-old man was killed over the weekend in a collision in Los Banos after he was struck by an alleged street racer whom police say was under in the influence of alcohol.
Los Banos police Cmdr. Jason Hedden said police received a report of an injury accident at 6:10 a.m. at the intersection of Santa Rita Avenue and D Street. He said a blue 2008 Saturn Astra, driven by Marcus Perez-Negrete, 20, of Clovis, was racing a 2012 gray Ford Focus, driven by Casey Lynnmarie Giannone, 19, of Los Banos.
The cars were traveling at about 50 mph northbound on Santa Rita Avenue when the Saturn hit a 2005 red Chevrolet Aveo traveling eastbound on D Street.
Hedden said the passenger in the Aveo, a 61-year-old man, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene of the accident. The driver of the Aveo, a 64-year-old male, suffered moderate injuries and was treated at Memorial Hospital, Los Banos.
Names of the victims were not released Monday.
Two 23-year-old males, believed by police to be twin brothers, were passengers in the two cars involved in the race. The 23-year-old in the Saturn suffered minor injuries, Hedden said.
Perez-Negrete was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol, consuming alcohol under age, having a speed contest and reckless driving resulting in bodily injury, according to police.
Giannone, whose vehicle was not involved in the crash, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, consuming alcohol under age, having a speed contest and reckless driving resulting in bodily injury, police said.
Perez-Negrete is being held at the John Latorraca Correctional Center in lieu of $404,462 bail. Giannone is free on bond, according to booking records.
Hedden said street racing is a problem in Los Banos.
“We’ve seen our fair share, but to my knowledge this is the first time someone’s been hurt,” he said.
Hedden said many in law enforcement believe popular movies featuring street racing contribute to the the desire by some to want to imitate what is shown on the big screen.
“The kids go out and watch that stuff and they want to do it,” Hedden said.
To leave an anonymous crime tip call (209) 827-7070 ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the Internet, you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s webpage at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page, simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or contact the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1(855) 725-2420 or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org.
This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 4:13 PM with the headline "DUI, Street racing crash results in death of 61-year-old."