The True Impact of Illegal Street Racing
Valentina D'alessandro
Forever 16
#live4val Valentina: founder of Street Racing skillsAs her mom, I work for her as the Executive Director of SRK.My pretty girl, at 16Long hair tinted red, cute dimples funny, pretty, emotionalfavorite snack Jamba Juice, Cheetos & Cream cheese.favorite Restaurant: Panerafavorite home-cooked meal: Broccoli pasta, FettuccineAlfredo, Rajas with rice and carne asada with sour creamLoved to shop: Melrose and any MallFavorite places: Disneyland & Barnes and NobleBorn in Torrance Ca.Traveled to: Napa Valley, Mexico City, Acapulco, Phoenix Arizona, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Vegas, and Palm Springs.2013-2014 Dream trips New Years with Family -Fashion club trip to New York, going to see penguins at the Long Beach Aquarium,Dreams: After graduation backpacking through Europe…..loving life! Friends, Family, and her bunny called Bunny.
Bethany
Forever 23
#live4bethany On May 11, 2019, I lost my life at the age of 23-years-old because two young men decided to engage in an illegal street racing contest. My daughter Layla was only 6-years-old at the time, she was my pride and joy. She was my best friends and we did everything together, my little girl will ever understand why I am never coming home.
I was a mother, sister, daughter, niece and good friend to many. I was adventurous, enjoyed trying new things, visiting new places and traveling. I enjoyed museums, hiking, taking long drives or listening to music all day long. I loved dying my hair unique colors which gave me the nick name “Unicorn”. I never cared about what others thought, I did what made me happy! My life was my journey and I lived it my way. I now fly with my own wings and guard my family night and day.
My Aunt “Lori Argumedo” is the Outreach & Community Relations Director for Street Racing Kills, she joined the organization after my passing. When she laid me to rest she promised me she would keep my memory alive and that my death would not be in vain. She is passionate about preventing and creating awareness regarding the dangers of illegal street racing and traffic safety among the youth.
Michelle Littlefield
Forever 19
Natalee Asal Moghaddam
Forever 19
Jaiden K. Johnson
Forever 20
Liam Thiago Lagunas
Forever 6
#Live4Liam Liam made everyone feel joy. He was filled with love and shared that feeling with all the people he meet. He had a gentle soul. Liam was my joy for almost 7 yrs. He was a special boy about to conquer the world. Liam had a gift to share, wise beyond his years. He loved life, nature, animals, water and had a smile that was contagious. A laugh that made you feel joyful. His thirst for life was huge. Liam was our Sunshine.
Tony Santillan
Forever 19
#Live4Tony My youngest brother Tony Santillan was tragically taken from us at the young age of 19 in December 2002 because the person who was driving the car he was in decided to race another car! There were a total of 5 people in the car and my brother was killed! Our lives changed forever on December 28, 2002 due to the irresponsibility of one person who decided that it was okay to race another car. My brother Tony had just turned 19 on December 2nd, he had his whole life ahead of him. Tony was full of life and laughter, he was kind, loving, funny and very handsome 🥰 his favorite foods were pizza, KFC and our mom’s spaghetti. He loved riding his bike and spending time with his friends. He would be the life of the party and always can make you laugh. We miss my brother so much and will forever keep his memory alive. ♥
Cerain Baker
Forever 21
#Live4Cerain Cerain and 2 of his friends was tragically taken from us way to soon from 2 street racers on August 3, 2021. Cerain and his friends were in a car making a left turn when 1 out of the 2 cars that were racing against each other, hit them. The car was racing down a 35 mph speed zone at an unimaginable speed. The speed of the cars that were racing was the major factor that took the lives of our babies. This careless act has left us devastated.!!!
Cerain we miss you like crazy. The world will never be the same because you are not here but I know you live on!!! We miss and love you so much. Fly high, my son.
Love Mom
Benny Goblin
Forever 36
#Live4Benny Benny Golbin’s friends recalled him as friendly, positive, gifted, and sweet, which described not only his personality but the beautiful sounds coming from his saxophone. “If there was anyone I was always excited to show up to a gig and stand next to it was Benny. A rare combination of brilliance, faithfulness, kindness, gentleness, intelligence, humility, and warmth. Everyone loved laughing with Benny and listening to him play a burning soulful solo.
Durrell Aaron Coley
Forever 10
#Live4Durrell Durrell Is my son. I never get to hug him again, at 10 years old he is gone forever because 5 adults decided to street race. Durrell was upfront with no seat belt on. The car he was in was overtaking a vehicle then he lost control and went through a field. The car started flipping and my baby was thrown from the vehicle. He was with someone he trusted. And he was definitely abusing that trust. Durrell loved to play football. He was so fast and he would have made it. He wasn’t embarrassed by me. I just miss him. Please live for him. He doesn’t get that chance.
Raymond Stephen Olivares Suarez
Forever 27
#Live4Raymond
Growing up in South Central, I worked hard to beat the odds and become a positive force in society. As an honors student, I pursued Civil Engineering at CAL-STATE LA, balancing work and studies to avoid burdening my immigrant parents. My dream was to make them proud by becoming an engineer and eventually owning a construction company to provide good jobs for others chasing the American dream.
Though my true passion was cooking, I prioritized my parents’ dreams over mine. Still, I found joy in cooking for my family and eventually launched a small business, “Let’s do Breakfast,” which became a weekend success, often selling out. I dreamed of opening a restaurant and even designed a logo—a cartoon version of myself.
I loved traveling and exploring new cuisines, always with my high school sweetheart of 11 years, Maria. She was my first and only love. For our tenth anniversary, I proposed with the help of our families, and we bought our first home, becoming fur parents. Our wedding was planned for our 12th anniversary on December 16, 2023. We were ready to start our family in 2023, but a reckless driver stole my dream of being a husband and father.
My story needs to be heard because no one should have their accomplishments and dreams taken away. So many people depended on me—my parents, my siblings, including my autistic brother, and my niece and nephews who looked up to me as a role model. I lived by principles and morals, always striving to do what was right, but all my hard work and sacrifices were destroyed by someone who was careless and had no regard for human life.
Marisa Isidora Alvarado
Forever 20
#Live4Marisa Marisa Isidora Alvarado lost her precious life on June 23, 2021 – the day my world changed forever. She lived life to the fullest every single day and was an inspiration and role model for many. Marisa never met a stranger; her infectious smile, generosity and loving & outgoing personality was captivating. Mom is so proud of you, baby girl.
Julie Samples Skeen
Forever 55
#Live4Jules Jules was a friend to everyone. She would give the shirt off her back to help someone. She was delivering a door dash to a client when she was hit by street racers and killed. No one will ever hear her jokes, her laugh, her voice, all for a few quick few minutes of fun by a teenager.
Jason “Jay” Robert Riola Jr.
Forever 16
#Live4Jay My son, Jay, was catastrophically taken from this world and gained his angel wings on August 17, 2022, at the age of 16. He was traveling home with his dad, the driver of the vehicle, from a dinner night out with friends when the rear tire blew causing loss of control of the vehicle. This was due to illegal street racing at a very high rate of speed. My son and his dad were pronounced at the scene. The other passenger of the vehicle did survive with injuries. Jaybird, my beautiful baby boy, you packed more joy in 16 short years than most people experience in a lifetime. Our hearts are shattered, our minds incapable of comprehending such a tragedy, our hope is that God has a much bigger and better plan for you. Until we meet again…Always in our hearts. We love you Buddy! #FlyHighJay
Chris & Damian
Forever 13 & Forever 2
#Live4Chris&Damian Chris and Damian were so loved. Chris was only 13 but he was very considerate and sensitive to others emotions/ being, he was very active and a fun boy to be around. Little Damian was 2 and super smart for his age and was barely learning how to form sentences, he loved his cars more than anything in this world as well as playing with his siblings. On the morning on January 9th 2023 we got hit by a reckless driver at a high speed and driving under the influence. Chris and Damian were taken from us at such young age and not a day goes by where they aren’t missed.
Dalton Ford and Tayler Garza
Both Forever 22
#Live4Dalton&Tayler
Dalton Lee Ford and Tayler Nicole Garza, both 22, tragically lost their lives on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, when they were T-boned by siblings drag racing down a county road in Burnsville, MN. The speed limit was 55 mph, but the sister, driving a Chevy Malibu, was going 107 mph, and her brother and twin sister, in a white Chrysler 200, were going 114 mph just before impact. The white Chrysler was still traveling at 100 mph when it split Dalton’s Honda CRV in half as they were making a left turn.
Dalton and Tayler were on their way to grab coffee before heading back home to Prescott, WI, to visit family. The last day we spent with them was at my dad’s funeral on March 26th. In just nine days, I lost my father, my son, and my future daughter-in-law. My dad lived a full life, but Dalton and Tayler’s lives were just beginning.
The siblings were arrested. The 19-year-old sister was tried as an adult, found guilty, and sentenced to 15 years—though the prosecutors sought 25 for each life lost. Her brother, then just shy of 18 and on probation for the third time, was treated as a juvenile. He served 241 days in a juvenile facility and is now on probation until June 2024. If he stays out of trouble, it will be as if it never happened.
We are fighting for change, and I will continue to fight for Dalton and Tayler.
Valerie Jo Garcia
Forever 45
On the morning of February 27, 2024, our sister Valerie was tragically and senselessly taken from us because two men decided to race around 1 a.m. on Buckner Blvd in Dallas, TX. This loss came just seven days after the unexpected passing of our other sister, Priscilla. Valerie had worked incredibly hard to earn the car she was driving that night, a vehicle she had only owned for a couple of months and was proud of.
Valerie was on her way to work, as she often did on overnight shifts, when she was struck by a silver Impala and a red truck racing down Buckner Blvd at 80 mph. She didn’t stand a chance; the impact was immediate and fatal. Illegal street racing is what killed our sister.
Valerie leaves behind three adult children who are just beginning their lives, and now she won’t be there to witness their milestones. We are committed to fighting for justice in her name and to joining the crusade to stop illegal street racing.
Conor Lynch
Forever 16
On October 19, 2010, 16-year-old Conor Lynch was tragically killed while training with his high school cross-country team by a distracted, unlicensed hit-and-run driver. Conor, a junior at Notre Dame High School, was remembered as an outstanding student, athlete, and friend.
Born on August 19, 1994, in Los Angeles, Conor excelled in various sports, including triathlons, skiing, and basketball. He worked as a camp counselor and lifeguard, earning the affection of younger children who called him “Coach Conor.”
A creative and curious individual, Conor loved to learn about different cultures and served as a peer Spanish tutor. He is survived by his parents, Mark and Jeri, and younger brothers, Riley and Parker. His memory is cherished by his family, school, and the cross-country community.
Jody Williams aka JoJo
Forever 9
Justin Bembiechew
Forever 36
RIP: Justin Bembischewv and Angeline Bembiechew
Timothy Ogden
Forever 34
Jase Grant
Forever 15
Jase was a great kid who I knew for quite a long time, he was a good friend who would always help you if you needed it Sadly he was taken from the world on May 20th 2018 when he was the passenger in a Mitsubishi Lancer being driven by one of his friends who was speeding and “racing against his own time” on a public road like he was a time attack race car driver but lost control at a high speed and hit a Toyota 4×4 coming from the opposite direction which sadly took his life on impact He’ll always be remembered fondly by the people that knew him
Kevin Teran Bahena
Forever 17
Kevin Hernandez Teran was a bright light filled with kindness, humor, and infectious enthusiasm. At just 17 years old, he was tragically taken from us in a car accident on May 16, 2023, at the intersection of Dundee and Schoenbeck roads in Wheeling. Kevin was a passenger in a vehicle involved in illegal street racing—a reckless decision made by the driver without the knowledge or consent of Kevin and the other passengers.
Kevin had a unique gift for making everyone feel cherished and valued. His thoughtful gestures, contagious laughter, and warm presence touched countless lives. He had big dreams, including starting his own clothing line and pursuing photography. His passion for life was inspiring, and his love for family was unwavering.
Known for his responsibility and respect, Kevin had just texted his mother that he was five minutes from home before the accident. He was never late and always made sure to return on time when out with friends.
This tragedy also claimed the lives of three other teenagers: Richard De-Ita (the driver), Jesus Rodriguez, and Ricky Barcenas. The accomplice in the street racing, Angelina Gomez, was convicted of reckless driving on November 14, 2024.
Kevin’s story serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving. Though no punishment can bring him back, we hope sharing his story will prevent similar tragedies and save lives.
Kevin’s memory will live on in our hearts forever.
