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Collette · 02-17-2008, 09:45 PM

I never understood the appeal. There are better places to be in the middle of the night, and watching an illegal street race, no matter how exciting, just isn't one of them.

Edit: If I've offended anyone I do apologize. No person ever deserves to die, and any death, no matter the circumstance, is a tragedy.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...racing-ON.html

ACCOKEEK, Md. - A car plowed into a crowd that had gathered to watch a drag race on a suburban road early Saturday, killing eight people and injuring at least five, police said.

Police said the white sedan was not involved in the street race but accidentally drove into the crowd of about 50 people that had spilled onto the highway to watch two racing cars speed off.

“There were just bodies everywhere; it was horrible,” said Crystal Gaines, 27, whose father was among the dead.

Gaines said she grabbed her child but could not help her father, William Gaines Sr., 61.

“He wasn't breathing, he wasn't moving,” she said. “His body was in pieces.”

Gaines said the car did not have its lights on, but police could not confirm that.

The white sedan hit people standing on the side of Route 210 around 3:40 a.m., Prince George's County Police Cpl. Clinton Copeland said. A tractor-trailer that came by shortly afterward may also have struck someone on the road as it tried to avoid the crash, he said.

“It's probably one of the worst scenes I've seen,” Copeland said. “This is a situation that could have been avoided, and it's a very tragic situation.”

The victims ranged in age from their 20s to 60s, police said. Seven people were pronounced dead at the scene, and an eighth died later at a hospital.

Hours after the accident on the divided highway in Accokeek, bodies covered in white sheets were scattered along what police were calling a 200-yard crime scene. Some were in the road, while others were on the shoulder.

The sedan came to a rest on an embankment about 150 feet from where the crowd had been. It had a crumpled front and hood, and the roof had partially collapsed.

The driver of the white sedan had been interviewed and did not appear to be seriously hurt, Police Capt. Donald Frick said. Police said a body found in the car was one of the spectators and not a passenger as they had previously reported.

According to police, two cars had lined up for a race on the smooth and relatively flat and straight stretch of highway. They spun their wheels, kicking up smoke, then sped off, Copeland said.

The crowd then moved into the road to watch the cars drive away. The combination of the smoke and the dark morning likely meant the driver of the approaching white sedan could not see the crowd. No charges were pending.

Authorities were looking for the drivers of the two cars involved in the race.

Authorities were working to identify the victims by showing digital photos of them to bystanders who said loved ones had been hurt. John Courtney said after viewing one of the images that his brother, Mark, 33, was among the dead.

“He liked going to the race track, watching races,” Courtney said. “It's going to take a toll on my family for a long time.” Investigators had “more questions than answers,” Copeland said.

Route 210 has two lanes in each direction and traffic lights about every 150 to 200 yards in Accokeek, about 20 miles south of Washington. In that area, the road is flanked by some businesses but has little traffic in the early hours, Copeland said.

Frick said it's common in the summer for police to deal with reports of motorcycles racing on the highway, which is relatively smooth with long straightaways, but he said they have not had as much of an issue with cars.

dutch · 02-17-2008, 10:20 PM

it's pretty sad, that's all i can say.

regardless of the incident, I will never not feel some sorrow for those who died in a preventable incident.

my thoughts go out to those involved.

DownHillPhil · 02-17-2008, 10:20 PM

Frickin' idiots.

Watch the fast and the furious and leave that shit at home, don't try to live it. Go to the track.

RustyIron · 02-19-2008, 09:20 AM

Truly unfortunate.

Hey Collette, surely a cycling gal can understand the desire to go fast! Ok, maybe not illegally fast, but the urge is related. I think the desire to go stupidly fast is a characteristic that resides on the Y chromosome. Sometimes we can't help ourselves.

Saturday evening a friend and I were hiking in the San Gabriels, FAR from our truck. It was getting darker and colder, so we dropped down onto the Angeles Crest, with the intent of thumbing a ride down. About twenty cars had passed us when two young kids in their rice-burners pulled over to give us a lift. Despite the uncomfortable speed, we were grateful that we didn't have to hoof it for a couple more hours.

So today I have a greater respect for those young punks who drive those funny little race cars. It takes talent and dedication to put them together. While they're doing it, they're not smoking dope and robbing liquor stores. Some of them are kind and generous people. Some make really bad mistakes.

Despite their stupidity, I'll still feel sorry for those who are permanently goofed up.

Shannon · 02-19-2008, 09:30 AM

What a tragedy. I heard about this accident on the news a couple days ago. Although self inflicted, to say you don't feel sorry for the dead is pretty cold hearted and narrow minded IMO. Think about the mountain bikers that are injured or killed while riding. I'm sure there are some that would think we're irresponsible for putting ourselves in a potentially dangerous situation.

G-Ride · 02-19-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Collette

I never understood the appeal, and no, I don't feel sorry for the dead. There are better places to be in the middle of the night, and watching an illegal street race, no matter how exicting, just isn't one of them.

I appreciate the post, however, I find your initial comment to be extremely callous. These people were innocent victims in all of this, and regardless of whether or not there were better places to be, not one of them deserved to die. These people were simply watching a race. Regardless of whether or not it was legal, do you feel they deserved to die? Would you be willing to tell the dozens of friends and family that are affected by this that you don't feel sorry for them? Your lack of compassion is astounding.

Letyrides · 02-19-2008, 09:38 AM

"Gaines said she grabbed her child but could not help her father, William Gaines Sr., 61."

I didn't know street racing at 3:40 am was a family event?! Kind of weird to me. Very tragic.

ghixon · 02-19-2008, 09:39 AM

“He liked going to the race track, watching races,” Courtney said. “It's going to take a toll on my family for a long time.” Investigators had “more questions than answers,” Copeland said.

What part did I miss? Wasn't this an open suburban road? How is this a "race track"?

Neccros · 02-19-2008, 09:47 AM

Problem is we had legal tracks here in Socal but they close them down so what do you expect??? i used to go to Terminal Island all the time and hang out and have fun there in a controlled enviroment.....

They need to bring it back.....

DownHillPhil · 02-19-2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Ride

I appreciate the post, however, I find your initial comment to be extremely callous. These people were innocent victims in all of this, and regardless of whether or not there were better places to be, not one of them deserved to die. These people were simply watching a race. Regardless of whether or not it was legal, do you feel they deserved to die? Would you be willing to tell the dozens of friends and family that are affected by this that you don't feel sorry for them? Your lack of compassion is astounding.

In attending that illegal race, their support and involvement in this lawbreaking activity got them killed.

I suppose you could call the deceased "martyrs" of sorts. Dying for a cause, so on and so forth.

Stupid ****s...I have no sympathy for them either.

I do drive 110-120 mph on the freeway from time to time (then immediately drop back down to cruising speed of 80), but not if there are any cars within eyeshot on my side of the freeway. When I do stupid things, I make damn sure there is nobody around that might be affected if something goes wrong.

Jordansrealm · 02-19-2008, 09:52 AM

It is very sad that things like this need to happen in order for people to learn their lesson. I had my fair share of attending street races when I was younger but never competed in them. I care for my life much too much. Nobody wants to see people die but it seems death is the ONLY thing that scares people away from doing such things.

I feel the same way about drunk driving. I dont wish anyone to get hurt but I dont feel sorry for people that drink and drive. They were stupid enough to get behind the wheel or their friends were stupid enough to allow them to do it.

G-Ride · 02-19-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownHillPhil

Stupid ****s...I have no sympathy for them either.

It amazes me how people get so self-righteous when something like this happens that doesn't affect them. It amazes me how everyone seems to lead these perfect, flawless, law-abiding lives. And it never fails that those who are always pointing their fingers are doing so to hide their own skeletons. I guess none of you has ever done anything stupid that you regret, huh? I wonder if you would feel the same way if your brother or best friend was one of those who died.

These were people with families just like you. Otis Williams, 35, of Indian Head; Milton Pinkney, 41, of La Plata; Mark Courtney, 33, of Leonardtown; Daryl Wills, 38, of Clinton; Maycol Lopez, 20, of Gaithersburg; Blaine Briscoe, 49, of La Plata; William Gaines, 61, of Nanjemoy; and Ervin Gardner, 39, of Oxon Hill.

Keith B · 02-19-2008, 10:14 AM

I used to do a fair bit of this in the UK when I was younger. Lots of near misses but no one I know ever got hurt. Like Clint Eastwood said - Mans got to know his limitations. Very sad.

TURNERob · 02-19-2008, 10:29 AM

Bottom line is that even being a spectator at an illegal street race is.....you guessed it, illegal! I used to frequent the street races in Ontario 10+ yrs ago when all the cops did was chase down the 2 cars racing and then everyone else just scattered. Now they block off the street and everyone gets tickets and their cars can be impounded if you have enough illegal mods done to your car.....not worth the risk. I'm sure it is much easier to get away with street racing in more rural parts of the country however.

Like Neccros said, there are not enough tracks around unfortunately and therefore street racing will probably never go away. That is part of why canyon driving has blown up so much also.....and there are plenty of accidents there also.

Jordansrealm · 02-19-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Ride

It amazes me how people get so self-righteous when something like this happens that doesn't affect them. It amazes me how everyone seems to lead these perfect, flawless, law-abiding lives. And it never fails that those who are always pointing their fingers are doing so to hide their own skeletons. I guess none of you has ever done anything stupid that you regret, huh? I wonder if you would feel the same way if your brother or best friend was one of those who died.

These were people with families just like you. Otis Williams, 35, of Indian Head; Milton Pinkney, 41, of La Plata; Mark Courtney, 33, of Leonardtown; Daryl Wills, 38, of Clinton; Maycol Lopez, 20, of Gaithersburg; Blaine Briscoe, 49, of La Plata; William Gaines, 61, of Nanjemoy; and Ervin Gardner, 39, of Oxon Hill.

I didnt realize that voicing an opinion means you consider yourself perfect? I am sure he didnt mean it that way as none of us are perfect and I am sure most of us have done something illegal in our lives. But, I dont think that you or anyone should attack someone because they voice their opinion. If you dont agree with it, so be it but that doesnt mean its wrong. If he said "I would never do such a thing because I am better than they are" or something like that I could see where your response would be valid.

I dont like self-righteous people either but I also dont like when people assume they mean something more than they possibly did. You know what assume means...

northshore · 02-19-2008, 10:48 AM

You should see some of these morons showing up at AutoX events.

G-Ride · 02-19-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordansrealm

But, I dont think that you or anyone should attack someone because they voice their opinion.

First, I was using his comment to make my point. My comments were not necessarily directed at him, nor did I single anyone out in my post. Second, if you think that was an attack, you are being a little sensitive. Third, everyone is using the fact that it was an illegal race to justify the fact that they were killed. Yes, street racing is pretty dumb. Yes, they were breaking the law by attending. So what? That means they deserve to die? So maybe a guy is speeding along at 80mph, hits a puddle, hydroplanes, crashes and dies. He was technically breaking the law too, but nobody should have sympathy for him?

dump truck · 02-19-2008, 10:58 AM

[ When I do stupid things, I make damn sure there is nobody around that might be affected if something goes wrong.[/quote]

i understand what your trying to say, but law enforcement, fire departments, paramedics and emergency room staff are affected.

Jordansrealm · 02-19-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Ride

First, I was using his comment to make my point. My comments were not necessarily directed at him, nor did I single anyone out in my post. Second, if you think that was an attack, you are being a little sensitive. Third, everyone is using the fact that it was an illegal race to justify the fact that they were killed. Yes, stree

02-17-2008, 09:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Collette Member	Street Racing Deaths I never understood the appeal. There are better places to be in the middle of the night, and watching an illegal street race, no matter how exciting, just isn't one of them. Edit: If I've offended anyone I do apologize. No person ever deserves to die, and any death, no matter the circumstance, is a tragedy. http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...racing-ON.html ACCOKEEK, Md. - A car plowed into a crowd that had gathered to watch a drag race on a suburban road early Saturday, killing eight people and injuring at least five, police said. Police said the white sedan was not involved in the street race but accidentally drove into the crowd of about 50 people that had spilled onto the highway to watch two racing cars speed off. “There were just bodies everywhere; it was horrible,” said Crystal Gaines, 27, whose father was among the dead. Gaines said she grabbed her child but could not help her father, William Gaines Sr., 61. “He wasn't breathing, he wasn't moving,” she said. “His body was in pieces.” Gaines said the car did not have its lights on, but police could not confirm that. The white sedan hit people standing on the side of Route 210 around 3:40 a.m., Prince George's County Police Cpl. Clinton Copeland said. A tractor-trailer that came by shortly afterward may also have struck someone on the road as it tried to avoid the crash, he said. “It's probably one of the worst scenes I've seen,” Copeland said. “This is a situation that could have been avoided, and it's a very tragic situation.” The victims ranged in age from their 20s to 60s, police said. Seven people were pronounced dead at the scene, and an eighth died later at a hospital. Hours after the accident on the divided highway in Accokeek, bodies covered in white sheets were scattered along what police were calling a 200-yard crime scene. Some were in the road, while others were on the shoulder. The sedan came to a rest on an embankment about 150 feet from where the crowd had been. It had a crumpled front and hood, and the roof had partially collapsed. The driver of the white sedan had been interviewed and did not appear to be seriously hurt, Police Capt. Donald Frick said. Police said a body found in the car was one of the spectators and not a passenger as they had previously reported. According to police, two cars had lined up for a race on the smooth and relatively flat and straight stretch of highway. They spun their wheels, kicking up smoke, then sped off, Copeland said. The crowd then moved into the road to watch the cars drive away. The combination of the smoke and the dark morning likely meant the driver of the approaching white sedan could not see the crowd. No charges were pending. Authorities were looking for the drivers of the two cars involved in the race. Authorities were working to identify the victims by showing digital photos of them to bystanders who said loved ones had been hurt. John Courtney said after viewing one of the images that his brother, Mark, 33, was among the dead. “He liked going to the race track, watching races,” Courtney said. “It's going to take a toll on my family for a long time.” Investigators had “more questions than answers,” Copeland said. Route 210 has two lanes in each direction and traffic lights about every 150 to 200 yards in Accokeek, about 20 miles south of Washington. In that area, the road is flanked by some businesses but has little traffic in the early hours, Copeland said. Frick said it's common in the summer for police to deal with reports of motorcycles racing on the highway, which is relatively smooth with long straightaways, but he said they have not had as much of an issue with cars.

02-17-2008, 10:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
DownHillPhil Dogboy	Frickin' idiots. Watch the fast and the furious and leave that shit at home, don't try to live it. Go to the track. __________________ Division 26 Clothing Originally Posted by Evil Chocula I speak from experience both giving and recieving (college).

02-19-2008, 09:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
Shannon Harvest Widow	What a tragedy. I heard about this accident on the news a couple days ago. Although self inflicted, to say you don't feel sorry for the dead is pretty cold hearted and narrow minded IMO. Think about the mountain bikers that are injured or killed while riding. I'm sure there are some that would think we're irresponsible for putting ourselves in a potentially dangerous situation. __________________ Just because you have a nightmare doesn't mean you stop dreaming...

02-19-2008, 09:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
Neccros Technically Canadian	Problem is we had legal tracks here in Socal but they close them down so what do you expect??? i used to go to Terminal Island all the time and hang out and have fun there in a controlled enviroment..... They need to bring it back..... __________________ Cant we all just ride along???

02-19-2008, 09:52 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jordansrealm Im lost	It is very sad that things like this need to happen in order for people to learn their lesson. I had my fair share of attending street races when I was younger but never competed in them. I care for my life much too much. Nobody wants to see people die but it seems death is the ONLY thing that scares people away from doing such things. I feel the same way about drunk driving. I dont wish anyone to get hurt but I dont feel sorry for people that drink and drive. They were stupid enough to get behind the wheel or their friends were stupid enough to allow them to do it. __________________ "Gene, let me hold on to your nuts for you" - CC "You think you're smart cuz you know words" - Benchwarmers

02-17-2008, 10:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
dutch STR Veteran	it's pretty sad, that's all i can say. regardless of the incident, I will never not feel some sorrow for those who died in a preventable incident. my thoughts go out to those involved.

02-19-2008, 09:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
RustyIron .	Truly unfortunate. Hey Collette, surely a cycling gal can understand the desire to go fast! Ok, maybe not illegally fast, but the urge is related. I think the desire to go stupidly fast is a characteristic that resides on the Y chromosome. Sometimes we can't help ourselves. Saturday evening a friend and I were hiking in the San Gabriels, FAR from our truck. It was getting darker and colder, so we dropped down onto the Angeles Crest, with the intent of thumbing a ride down. About twenty cars had passed us when two young kids in their rice-burners pulled over to give us a lift. Despite the uncomfortable speed, we were grateful that we didn't have to hoof it for a couple more hours. So today I have a greater respect for those young punks who drive those funny little race cars. It takes talent and dedication to put them together. While they're doing it, they're not smoking dope and robbing liquor stores. Some of them are kind and generous people. Some make really bad mistakes. Despite their stupidity, I'll still feel sorry for those who are permanently goofed up.

02-19-2008, 09:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
Letyrides STR Veteran	"Gaines said she grabbed her child but could not help her father, William Gaines Sr., 61." I didn't know street racing at 3:40 am was a family event?! Kind of weird to me. Very tragic.

02-19-2008, 09:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
ghixon	“He liked going to the race track, watching races,” Courtney said. “It's going to take a toll on my family for a long time.” Investigators had “more questions than answers,” Copeland said. What part did I miss? Wasn't this an open suburban road? How is this a "race track"? __________________ The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.

02-19-2008, 10:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
Keith B Professional Lion Tamer	I used to do a fair bit of this in the UK when I was younger. Lots of near misses but no one I know ever got hurt. Like Clint Eastwood said - Mans got to know his limitations. Very sad. __________________ "I once met three guys named pain, suffering and sacrifice. Now, we're inseperable. We're best friends"

02-19-2008, 10:29 AM	#14 (permalink)
TURNERob I need a tow truck ASAP	Bottom line is that even being a spectator at an illegal street race is.....you guessed it, illegal! I used to frequent the street races in Ontario 10+ yrs ago when all the cops did was chase down the 2 cars racing and then everyone else just scattered. Now they block off the street and everyone gets tickets and their cars can be impounded if you have enough illegal mods done to your car.....not worth the risk. I'm sure it is much easier to get away with street racing in more rural parts of the country however. Like Neccros said, there are not enough tracks around unfortunately and therefore street racing will probably never go away. That is part of why canyon driving has blown up so much also.....and there are plenty of accidents there also. __________________ Cal Clinkie: Now that I'm older I don't think I'll buy another bike without a kickstand. Arrrkelly: Couldn't you freaks have found a slightly less obvious spot to drink and act retarded?

02-19-2008, 10:48 AM	#16 (permalink)
northshore Aloha Brah!	You should see some of these morons showing up at AutoX events. __________________ Hawaiian Island Creations Ride it: dw-link.com/reasons

02-19-2008, 10:58 AM	#18 (permalink)
dump truck and we do this for fun?!?	[ When I do stupid things, I make damn sure there is nobody around that might be affected if something goes wrong.[/quote] i understand what your trying to say, but law enforcement, fire departments, paramedics and emergency room staff are affected.

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