Back to Home Media Blog New state Assembly Bill targets street racing, increasing penalties for dangerous activity

New state Assembly Bill targets street racing, increasing penalties for dangerous activity

March 11, 2020 | Article by Chain | Cohn | Clark staff | Cases , News & Media , Tips & Information

New state Assembly Bill targets street racing, increasing penalties for dangerous activity

Outrage had been building in Bakersfield over widespread incidents of street racing, and it reached a boiling point after an alleged street racing crash killed a Bakersfield woman and injured two children riding with her in a minivan.

The issue hits close to home for Chain | Cohn | Clark, which is representing one of the children who suffered major injuries in that November 2019 crash that killed 58-year-old Maria Blaney Navarro. Reckless driving is a nuisance in our neighborhoods at the very least, but it injures and kills too many innocent people each year.

It’s why Chain | Cohn | Clark is in full support of a new state Assembly Bill 2565 introduced by Assemblyman Vince Fong of Bakersfield, and co-authored by Assemblywoman Laura Friedman of Glendale, that would bring additional penalties to those who publicly exhibit street racing behaviors.

“I authored this bill in response to what our local law enforcement officials have conveyed as a troubling and problematic trend in our neighborhoods,” Fong said in the statement. “We need to increase the penalties for illegal street racing activities to send a message that this activity will not be tolerated.”

Under AB 2565, acts such as engine-revving and burning out vehicle tires in front of a group of spectators could lead to suspension of a driver’s license. The bill would provide an additional tool for law enforcement as officials look to curtail street racing in Kern County and throughout the state.

Bakersfield Police arrested 50-year-old Ronald Dean Pierce in connection with the death of Navarro, and faces a second-degree murder charge, as well as suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving causing an injury, and participating in an illegal speed contest. Police said he was racing a Mustang against another vehicle in southwest Bakersfield when he lost control of the vehicle and struck the van not involved in the race. The impact caused the van to spin out of control into oncoming traffic, where it was then hit by a crane truck, killing Navarro and injuring two grandchildren.

For years, residents in southwest Bakersfield had complained to police about the prevalence of street racing and parking-lot gatherings. After the fatal crash, police responded with overtime traffic enforcement targeting street racers.

Currently, street racing in California is a misdemeanor with penalties including a jail sentence, fine between $355 and $1,000, community service, suspension of your driver’s license, and impounding of vehicles. However, prior convictions for street racing or if someone is injured in the race could face “enhanced” penalties including more jail sentence, fines, and suspensions.

The Assembly Bill is pending referral to a policy committee for a hearing in the coming weeks.

UPDATE (MARCH 2021): The Assembly Transportation Committee passed Assembly Bill 3 designed to curb illegal street racing locally and statewide. The bill, which was authored by Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, will apply the penalties used against illegal speed racing and implement them against exhibitions of speed as well. Such exhibitions include the burning out of tires, revving of engines, performing stunts, and other activities intended for an audience or “sideshow” that ultimately leads to a speed contest, according to The Bakersfield Californian. The bill provides judges the authority to suspend an offending individual’s driver’s license for up to six months.

UPDATE (APRIL 2021): Assembly Bill 3, aimed to curb illegal street racing locally and statewide, advanced out of the California State Assembly with “overwhelming bipartisan support,” The Bakersfield Californian reported.

UPDATE (JUNE 2021): Assembly Bill 3 has passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee unanimously, The Bakersfield Californian reported.

UPDATE (SEPTEMBER 2021): The legislation unanimously cleared the state Legislature and is heading to the governor’s desk, The Bakersfield Californian reported.

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If you or someone you know is injured in an accident at the fault of someone else, or injured on the job no matter whose fault it is, contact the attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark by calling (661) 323-4000. Our Bakersfield injury lawyers are here to help you.

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