Driver killed in street race

PICO RIVERA - A high speed race in an unincorporated area north of Pico Rivera resulted in the death of one driver, and an arrest for manslaughter for another.

Brian Ramirez, 18, of Los Angeles, was killed while racing against Fitzgerald Paragas, 18, down Rosemead Boulevard at 90 mph around 7:00 on Sunday night, according to a California Highway Patrol report.

Paragas survived the crash with minor injuries, but was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, because of the death of Ramirez.

"If you are in a high speed race, any injury in that race can result in you being charged with a crime," said CHP Office John Seumanutafa.

Paragas is being held in county custody at $70,000 bail and has a court date scheduled for October 9, according to Sheriff's Department records.

The two were driving side by side just north of Gallatin Road, when they came upon a slower moving vehicle in the right lane, according to the CHP report.

To avoid the slower car, Ramirez pulled onto the right shoulder and accelerated past it, while Paragas passed it in the left lane.

Ramirez lost control of his 2005 Mitsubishi Evo while on the shoulder and spun left across the concrete divider and into opposite traffic, where he collided head on with a 2005 VW Jetta carrying four people.

Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene, but the four people in the Jetta suffered only minor injuries, according to the CHP report.

Officer Seumanutafa said that Paragas also was involved in the collision, possibly when Ramirez spun left across the road. He also suffered only minor injuries.

SOURCE: San Gabriel Valley Tribune