A teenage girl was killed and her sister was critically injured in a vehicle wreck early Monday morning in Richmond, according to police.
Police were alerted to the collision at about 5:15 a.m. after the department's dispatch received reports of a possible collision from automatic iPhone alerts sent from two different phones.
An investigation determined the Infinity G35 had been traveling at a high speed in the northbound lanes of Canal Boulevard when it left the roadway and struck two trees and a power pole. The vehicle was heavily damaged and resting in the northbound lanes when police arrived.
Police said a 14-year-old girl was found dead at the scene, ejected from the car and her 11-year-old sister was critically injured. Police allege two 15-year-old boys fled the scene after the collision. One was located at a hospital after seeking treatment for an injury. The other was later allegedly located at a Richmond residence.
“At this point the issue is, we don’t know who was driving. So, we have all of the occupants pointing fingers at each other, indicating someone else was driving,” said Lt. Donald Patchin with the Richmond Police Department.
According to Richmond police, the Infinity was reported stolen from San Pablo on Saturday. Police added that it appeared the car had been involved in sideshow activity prior to the crash.
“Initial reports indicate the vehicle was probably in our city participating in a sideshow just prior to this. And it shows how quickly that type of activity can turn deadly,” Patchin said.
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“I think it’s tragic and sadly it’s something a lot of people that live in the area knew is going to happen sooner or later, because people speed regularly in this area,” said Andrew Butt.
Butt said that he witnessed the mangled car being towed away. He added that the sideshow and reckless driving is practically a nightly occurrence in the area and something needs to change.
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Tomás Lopez came out to the a makeshift memorial site to bring flowers. He said that he was close to one of the victims, a girl he said attended Richmond High School
“I feel bad because she was my best friend,” he said.
Police said that once they determine who was driving the car, possible manslaughter and stolen vehicle charges may be filed.
