Illegal street racing is a problem for many states, and especially of concern to Arizona residents. Any time cars are raced on public streets or highways; it is considered illegal according to ARS 28-708.
NBC Channel 12 News in Phoenix reports that a 19-year-old man has been arrested after he had been illegally street racing and crashed his vehicle into an unmarked state trooper’s cruiser.
The accident occurred shortly before midnight on Saturday, July 21st, near the intersection of 45th Avenue and Magnolia Street. The trooper had been patrolling the area and was on the lookout for street racers. When the trooper spotted a large group of cars on the road, he stopped, reversed his vehicle, and turned onto Magnolia Street.
As the trooper turned onto Magnolia, Jose Medrano, 19, of Phoenix T-boned the trooper’s cruiser. Officials have estimated that the crash caused $10,000 of damage to the law enforcement vehicle. No injuries were reported in connection with the crash.
When questioned by law enforcement officers, Medrano admitted that he had been racing another vehicle and told them that he had been going approximately 75 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone.
Medrano is facing one count of reckless driving, one count of endangerment, one count of street racing, and one count of criminal damage to another vehicle and other related charges.
The judge released Medrano on his own recognizance. He is next due in court to face the charges against him on August 5th. Medrano was assigned a public defender by the court.
