Car Race's Drivers, Spectators Reticent

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Car Strikes Crowd at Illegal Street Race

Eight people are dead and at least five injured after a car hits a group of people watching an illegal race in Prince George's County.

» LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY

People who identified themselves as participants in or fans of illegal racing said yesterday that a race can attract as many as 300 spectators and that $10,000 or more can be at stake.

Describing a race last month on Indian Head Highway, one fan said a mechanic parked a tow truck near the starting point, turned on the truck's lights and blocked off traffic, as is typical at races. Like others who described the races, he spoke on the condition of anonymity because the events are illegal.

Farther out in each direction, lookouts watched for police cars and monitored police scanners, he said. If an officer is headed toward a race, he said, race cars are pulled onto trailers. Spectators hop into their cars and disappear.

At Speed Unlimited, a specialty auto-parts store in Suitland, several patrons said races often begin as weekend auto shows in a parking lot alongside a lightly traveled highway or in an industrial park. One racer, who identified himself only as Maverick, showed off an image from a cellphone that appeared to show his speedometer at 135 mph.

Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D), who knew two of the victims and represents the district where the crash occurred, said illegal racing has been a pastime in Southern Maryland since he was a child.

"There's not a whole lot of entertainment in Southern Maryland," Miller said, noting that he has heard of races starting over bragging rights in taverns.

Participating in a race or "speed contest" on a highway is five points against a driver's license. Additional charges, including reckless driving or speeding, could bring additional points.

Charles County Commissioner Edith J. Patterson (D-Pomfret) said the crash has "brought to light a subculture" that she did not know existed in her district.

"I think there should be stiffer penalties for this," she said. "There are legitimate places for this to occur."

Patterson said she plans to work with her board, the sheriff's department, state police and the Prince George's County Council to address the problem.

Staff writers Allison Klein, Nelson Hernandez, Annie Gowen, Ovetta Wiggins and Avis Thomas-Lester and staff researcher Rena Kirsch contributed to this report.