SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — A driver in a drag race in Otay Mesa lost control of his vehicle, hitting and killing a bystander, police said Sunday.
Two motorists were drag racing at about 6 a.m. Sunday in the 8800 block of Kerns Street when a driver lost control of his vehicle and went up on the sidewalk, striking a bystander who was watching the race, said Officer Sarah Foster of the San Diego Police Department.
The bystander died of his injuries at the scene, the officer said. No arrests were immediately reported. Police said alcohol didn't seem to be a factor in the accident.
"It happens every Friday and Saturday night,” said Eddie Vega. He works at a gas station close to the drag race. He says people bet money on the races which draws an audience. "They come here put in gas, fix their cars and then they leave,” said Vega. Police said people lined the sidewalk to watch the races early in the morning.
"Every time the cops come everybody runs away like cockroaches in the street," said Vega. He can heard the loud noise of the engines from the gas station.
SDPD traffic units responded and were handling the investigation.
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