Demand Fresno Enforce California's Street Racing Laws
Demand Fresno Enforce California's Street Racing Laws
The Issue
Allie Chang - Innocent victim killed in Fresno Street Racing!
DEMAND FRESNO STOP THE STREET RACING!
Street Racing in Fresno is out of control and must be stopped. On Saturday, December 26th, a street racing incident caused serious bodily injury to at least three innocent victims and resulted in the catastrophic taking of innocent lives. Killed were 17-year-old Allie Chang, 21-year-old Linda Chang, and 27-year-old Christopher Vang. Multiple families are forever devastated as they grieve the loss of their loved ones.
Fresno Police Officers stated that they clocked the two initial perpetrators driving at a speed of 75 mph on Blackstone Avenue. The posted speed limit is 40 mph, these drivers were racing at almost double the speed limit! Two officers began individual pursuits of the suspects, one officer pursued the driver of the Camaro while the second officer pursued the driver in the Mustang.
While the Camaro driver pulled over for one of the Officers, the driver of the Mustang did not and a high-speed chase ensued causing the driver of the Mustang to accelerate to over 100 mph in his quest to flee as he violently crashed into and killed the innocent victims - Allie, Linda, and Christopher, while causing major injuries to at least three others.
https://abc30.com/street-racing-crash-northwest-fresno-bullard-palm-ivan-villareal/9155570/
Police Captain Don Gross stated "This could have simply been a citation and everyone could have gone on their way that evening. It didn't have to end in a tragedy like this" However, It DID end in tragic deaths and will continue to end in tragedy as long as Fresno follows the mere citation penalty protocol.
Tell the District Attorney that it’s outrageous that the driver of the Camaro merely received a citation even though he was involved in the reckless Crime of Street Racing resulting in multiple deaths that will forever deprive several families of their loved ones. The driver of the Camaro must be held accountable and charges filed according to the fullest extent of California Vehicle Code 23109.
Citations do not work - Drivers of these high-powered cars can easily afford to pay their fines. Citations have not deterred street racing in Fresno!
The prospect of losing their cars for any amount of time will have a much higher deterrent effect! This group of high-risk drivers value their vehicles more than anything in the world and the thought of losing their car even for a brief period is a more effective deterrent to prevent street racing than a mere citation.
IT'S TIME TO GET TOUGH, WE'VE HAD ENOUGH!
We, the people, DEMAND that Fresno enforce California Street Racing Laws to prevent further innocent deaths due to illegal street racing:
Updated June 8, 2020
California Vehicle Code 23109 (a) makes it a crime to willfully participate in a speed contest. A speed contest refers to street racing, drag racing or an exhibition of speed by one or more motor vehicles on a public street, highway or freeway. Engaging in a speed contest is a misdemeanor in California but can be charged as a felony were serious injury is a result.
Current Penalties in California include any or multiple of the following:
- Minimum of 1 day and up to 90 days in county jail
- Fine of $355 to a maximum of $1000
- 40 hours of community service
- Suspension or restriction of your driver’s license from 90 days to 6 months.
- When arrested for a speed contest the officer can also impound the vehicle for up to 30 days.
- If previously convicted within 5 yrs. for street-racing, 4 days to 6 months in county jail, $500 – $1,000 fine, and a mandatory suspension of your driver’s license for 6 months.
- If Street Racing caused an injury the penalties can increase to 30 days up to 6 months in county jail, and/or a fine between $500 and $1,000.
- Furthermore in case of serious bodily injury (even includes concussion or loss of consciousness) you may be looking at a sentence of 16 months to 3 years in jail, and up to $10,000 fine.
- Other related charges may include reckless driving, evading a police officer, or even destruction of property, each potentially carrying further penalties.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=23109.
Tell Fresno to enforce California Street Racing Laws by imposing the maximum penalties allowed and specifically to start impounding those vehicles! Let's work together to bring about change and safety for the streets of Fresno while honoring the lives of Allie, Linda, Christopher, and the many others whose lives have been taken due to Street-Racing. Let's honor them in a profound and positive manner.
TAKE FURTHER ACTION - CALL OR EMAIL YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Governor Gavin Newsom https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/
1303 10th Street, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Mayor Jerry Dyer https://www.fresno.gov/mayor/contact-us/2600
Fresno Street, Room 2075
Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 621-8000
Chief of Police Paco Balderrama
https://www.fresno.gov/police/police-contacts/
2323 Mariposa Street
Room 2075
Fresno, CA 93721
559.621.7000
Sheriff Margaret Mims https://www.fresnosheriff.org/admin/contact-us.html
2200 Fresno St Fresno, California 93721 (559)600-8400 (559)488-3939
District Attorney Lisa A. Smittcamp
2220 Tulare St Suite 1000, Fresno, CA 93721 - (559) 600-3141
ALL FRESNO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS (559) 621-8000:
Esmeralda Soria, Council District 1
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-1/contact-us/
(559) 268-1043
Mike Karbassi, Councilmember District 2
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-2/contact-us/
(559) 621-7892
Miguel Arias, Councilmember District 3
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-3/contact-us/
(559) 621-7893
Tyler Maxwell, Councilmember District 4
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-4/contact-us/
(559) 621-7848
Luis Chavez, Council President District 5
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-5/contact-us/
(559) 490-5395
Garry Bredefeld, Councilmember District 6
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-6/contact-us/
(559) 457-1245
Nelson Esparza, Council Vice-President District 7
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-7/contact-us/
(559) 498-2541
3,729
The Issue
Allie Chang - Innocent victim killed in Fresno Street Racing!
DEMAND FRESNO STOP THE STREET RACING!
Street Racing in Fresno is out of control and must be stopped. On Saturday, December 26th, a street racing incident caused serious bodily injury to at least three innocent victims and resulted in the catastrophic taking of innocent lives. Killed were 17-year-old Allie Chang, 21-year-old Linda Chang, and 27-year-old Christopher Vang. Multiple families are forever devastated as they grieve the loss of their loved ones.
Fresno Police Officers stated that they clocked the two initial perpetrators driving at a speed of 75 mph on Blackstone Avenue. The posted speed limit is 40 mph, these drivers were racing at almost double the speed limit! Two officers began individual pursuits of the suspects, one officer pursued the driver of the Camaro while the second officer pursued the driver in the Mustang.
While the Camaro driver pulled over for one of the Officers, the driver of the Mustang did not and a high-speed chase ensued causing the driver of the Mustang to accelerate to over 100 mph in his quest to flee as he violently crashed into and killed the innocent victims - Allie, Linda, and Christopher, while causing major injuries to at least three others.
https://abc30.com/street-racing-crash-northwest-fresno-bullard-palm-ivan-villareal/9155570/
Police Captain Don Gross stated "This could have simply been a citation and everyone could have gone on their way that evening. It didn't have to end in a tragedy like this" However, It DID end in tragic deaths and will continue to end in tragedy as long as Fresno follows the mere citation penalty protocol.
Tell the District Attorney that it’s outrageous that the driver of the Camaro merely received a citation even though he was involved in the reckless Crime of Street Racing resulting in multiple deaths that will forever deprive several families of their loved ones. The driver of the Camaro must be held accountable and charges filed according to the fullest extent of California Vehicle Code 23109.
Citations do not work - Drivers of these high-powered cars can easily afford to pay their fines. Citations have not deterred street racing in Fresno!
The prospect of losing their cars for any amount of time will have a much higher deterrent effect! This group of high-risk drivers value their vehicles more than anything in the world and the thought of losing their car even for a brief period is a more effective deterrent to prevent street racing than a mere citation.
IT'S TIME TO GET TOUGH, WE'VE HAD ENOUGH!
We, the people, DEMAND that Fresno enforce California Street Racing Laws to prevent further innocent deaths due to illegal street racing:
Updated June 8, 2020
California Vehicle Code 23109 (a) makes it a crime to willfully participate in a speed contest. A speed contest refers to street racing, drag racing or an exhibition of speed by one or more motor vehicles on a public street, highway or freeway. Engaging in a speed contest is a misdemeanor in California but can be charged as a felony were serious injury is a result.
Current Penalties in California include any or multiple of the following:
- Minimum of 1 day and up to 90 days in county jail
- Fine of $355 to a maximum of $1000
- 40 hours of community service
- Suspension or restriction of your driver’s license from 90 days to 6 months.
- When arrested for a speed contest the officer can also impound the vehicle for up to 30 days.
- If previously convicted within 5 yrs. for street-racing, 4 days to 6 months in county jail, $500 – $1,000 fine, and a mandatory suspension of your driver’s license for 6 months.
- If Street Racing caused an injury the penalties can increase to 30 days up to 6 months in county jail, and/or a fine between $500 and $1,000.
- Furthermore in case of serious bodily injury (even includes concussion or loss of consciousness) you may be looking at a sentence of 16 months to 3 years in jail, and up to $10,000 fine.
- Other related charges may include reckless driving, evading a police officer, or even destruction of property, each potentially carrying further penalties.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=23109.
Tell Fresno to enforce California Street Racing Laws by imposing the maximum penalties allowed and specifically to start impounding those vehicles! Let's work together to bring about change and safety for the streets of Fresno while honoring the lives of Allie, Linda, Christopher, and the many others whose lives have been taken due to Street-Racing. Let's honor them in a profound and positive manner.
TAKE FURTHER ACTION - CALL OR EMAIL YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Governor Gavin Newsom https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/
1303 10th Street, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Mayor Jerry Dyer https://www.fresno.gov/mayor/contact-us/2600
Fresno Street, Room 2075
Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 621-8000
Chief of Police Paco Balderrama
https://www.fresno.gov/police/police-contacts/
2323 Mariposa Street
Room 2075
Fresno, CA 93721
559.621.7000
Sheriff Margaret Mims https://www.fresnosheriff.org/admin/contact-us.html
2200 Fresno St Fresno, California 93721 (559)600-8400 (559)488-3939
District Attorney Lisa A. Smittcamp
2220 Tulare St Suite 1000, Fresno, CA 93721 - (559) 600-3141
ALL FRESNO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS (559) 621-8000:
Esmeralda Soria, Council District 1
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-1/contact-us/
(559) 268-1043
Mike Karbassi, Councilmember District 2
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-2/contact-us/
(559) 621-7892
Miguel Arias, Councilmember District 3
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-3/contact-us/
(559) 621-7893
Tyler Maxwell, Councilmember District 4
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-4/contact-us/
(559) 621-7848
Luis Chavez, Council President District 5
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-5/contact-us/
(559) 490-5395
Garry Bredefeld, Councilmember District 6
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-6/contact-us/
(559) 457-1245
Nelson Esparza, Council Vice-President District 7
https://www.fresno.gov/citycouncil/district-7/contact-us/
(559) 498-2541
3,729
The Decision Makers
Petition created on January 17, 2021