Evo Street Racers: Street Racing Accidents

Two men killed in accident and shooting during illegal drag race in Birmingham

Source: Los Angeles Times
Date: January 14, 2008
Author: HANNAH WOLFSON

Illegal races in Pratt Community have happened before, police say

An argument over a body at a drag race escalated into a fatal shooting Sunday, according to Birmingham police.

The shooting occurred after a pedestrian was struck and killed during an illegal drag race just off Avenue W in the Pratt Community, said Birmingham Police Capt. Herman Hinton.

Identities of the two men had not been released Sunday night.

Hinton said a man photographing the racing was struck and killed after 4 p.m. on Republic Boulevard, a dead-end street through an industrial park commonly used for illegal racing. "From what we're hearing, some of his friends wanted to take him to the hospital to see what, if anything, could be done for him," Hinton said. "The person who wanted to run assistance was shot several times."

Police were called to the scene at 4:20 p.m. The shooting victim was transported to UAB Hospital and pronounced dead, according to police dispatchers.

Hinton said the racing was between two groups, one from Florida and another from Tennessee. He said that information was preliminary and more investigation is needed about the nature of the meeting, including whether money was changing hands.

Family members of those involved, including one woman who identified herself as the accident victim's mother but then declined to comment, were on the scene.

Hinton said police had received reports about drag racing in the area in the past.

Early Williams, who works for Bryant Security guarding the Saia Motor Freight Line yard on Republic Boulevard, said it's a common sight. He said the racers pose a hazard to each other and to truck drivers coming in and out of the Republic Industrial Park.

"They're through here all the time, every weekend," Williams said.

E-mail: hwolfson@bhamnews.com