Friday, August 10, 2012

Two charged with murder in Santa Clarita street racing death

What was left after my son's fatal accident while street racing

News Release - Office of the Los Angeles County District Attorney

Two young men were arrested today on a felony complaint for arrest warrant charging them with murder in connection with the death of a friend early this year during a street race between two cars in Santa Clarita.

The defendants – both from Canyon Country -- were named in a felony complaint for arrest warrant filed by the District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday.

They were arrested by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s - Santa Clarita Valley Station investigators and are scheduled to appear for arraignment Friday, August 10, in San Fernando Superior Court, Dept. S., 900 Third St., San Fernando.

Bail for each was recommended at $1 million. If convicted, each defendant faces a state prison sentence of life with the possibility of parole.

Charged in case No. PA 074271 are Colt Sean Doherty, 19 (dob 12/28/1992), and Thomas Joseph Vensko, 20 (dob 3/19/1992). Each are charged with one count of second-degree murder.

Doherty additionally was charged with one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated while Vensko was charged with vehicular manslaughter. It also was alleged that Vensko fled the scene of the crime. Doherty also was charged with one count of D.U.I. causing injury. It was alleged he personally inflicted great bodily injury the victim.

Dakota Demott, 19, a passenger in Doherty’s Mustang, was thrown out of the car and killed on Jan. 10, 2012, when the vehicle crashed while street racing a Honda driven by Vensko in Santa Clarita. The crash occurred after the cars left a fast food restaurant at Sand Canyon Road shortly before 11 p.m., authorities said.

Vensko, who had two passengers in his car, fled. Doherty’s car crashed into a tree, killing Demott and critically injuring Doherty. Doherty has since recovered, according to authorities.

Deputy District Attorney Ruby Arias of the San Fernando branch office is prosecuting the case.

SOURCE: LASD - HQ Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff

h/t  Bernard C. Parks

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