LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A 23-year-old Compton mother killed in a Willowbrook-area crash that police say was caused by a street racer was formally identified today, while her brother remained hospitalized in critical condition.
Bethany Holguin was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred at 11:24 p.m. Saturday at 131st Street and Towne Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP officials said Holguin was driving a 2005 Toyota Camry south on Towne Avenue when her car was broadsided by a speeding Infiniti racing west on 131st Street.
“The Infiniti was traveling at a high rate of speed while actively engaged in a street race with an unknown red sedan,” according to the CHP.
The Infiniti's driver ran through a stop sign and slammed into the Toyota, causing the Toyota to strike a parked Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a parked Ford Mustang, officials said. The driver and passenger in the Infiniti survived the crash, jumping out of the vehicle and getting into the red sedan, fleeing the scene. The Infiniti driver was described only as a man in his 30s.
Holguin's passenger -- identified by relatives as her 20-year-old brother, Emilio -- was taken to Harbor UCLA Medical Center with “major injuries.”
Family members told reporters Holguin had a 6-year-old daughter. Holguin was on her way to pick up her daughter and then travel to Hemet to celebrate Mother's Day with her mom, relatives said.
Neighbors described hearing the crash and said they saw the gravely injured young woman in the crumpled wreckage.
“I couldn't do anything to help her,” Fabiola Rodriguez told NBC4. “She was still alive and asking for help. But we couldn't do anything because the car was in really, really bad condition.”
Neighbors also said street racing has been a frequent problem on the street.
Anyone with information about the crash was asked to call detectives at 310-516-3355.