Driver Who Hit Race Crowd Tried to Stop, Uncle Says

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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.

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Bullock, a father of two and a former linebacker at Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head, bought the Crown Victoria about a month ago, Walls said. "This was his dream car," he said. "When he first graduated from high school, he wanted a Crown Vic."

Walls said he and his relatives feel terrible for those who lost loved ones in the crash. In addition to Williams, those killed were 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; Ervin Gardner, 39, of Oxon Hill; and Milton Pinkney, 41, of La Plata.

"We're pretty sure we have friends or friends of friends who were hurt," Walls said. He said he hopes that those who organized the race will come forward and take responsibility.

Referring to Bullock, he added: "Don't let this young man be dragged through the mud."

According to court records, Bullock has had a few brushes with the law. He pleaded guilty in October 2006 to malicious destruction of property. In February 2007, he was charged with misdemeanor theft. Later that year, in May, he was issued two traffic citations, one for driving on a suspended license and another for having an unrestrained child in a vehicle.

Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) intends to meet with law enforcement officials today to be briefed on the investigation and find ways to collect better intelligence on illegal races.

In Annapolis, Del. John L. Bohanan Jr. (D-St. Mary's) said he believes there is little that legislators can do to crack down on illegal street racing.

"Everybody always wants to throw laws at it, but some of it may be better enforced by a coordinated effort between the local law enforcement jurisdictions and the state police," said Bohanan, who represents a section of Southern Maryland where illegal street racing is popular. "It's not like we haven't known this is going on. . . . I think ramping up enforcement is a lot quicker rather than searching for the magic bill to address it."

One model for enforcement might be one developed by officials in California, which has combated a street racing culture for years, said Jonathan Adkins, a spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Some jurisdictions in that state have enacted laws that allow authorities to impound not only illegal racers' cars, but also spectators' vehicles, Adkins said.

In San Diego, officials have a program in which street racing is legalized on certain nights, Adkins said. Such races, in a controlled environment, are overseen by law enforcement officials.

John B. Townsend II, of AAA Mid-Atlantic, said his organization is studying Maryland laws to determine whether to recommend specific legislation to try to discourage racing on public roads.