Man Killed in Hawthorne Street Racing Crash

Benjamin Golbin, 36, of San Pedro, was killed in Hawthorne car accident, which officials say, involved two drivers who were racing on a public roadway. According to a news report in the Daily Breeze, the fatal crash occurred the afternoon of January 15, 2015. Police say 23-year-old Alfredo Perez Davila was racing a red Chevy Camaro going north on Crenshaw Boulevard when he lost control of his Chevy Cobalt and swerved across traffic lanes before slamming into the center median.

Speeding Driver Flees

The impact sent the Cobalt airborne landing on a Honda heading south on Crenshaw. The Cobalt rolled completely over the Honda before coming to rest on the street. Golbin, the driver of the Honda, was pronounced dead at the scene. Davila was treated for his injuries and booked on suspicion of murder.

The driver of the Camaro fled heading north on Crenshaw. Hawthorne police have secured surveillance video of the crash and posted it on their Facebook page, seeking the public’s help to track down the other driver. Anyone with information about the red Camaro or its driver is asked to call Hawthorne police at 310-349-2708.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Benjamin Golbin for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Racing on a Public Street

Based on this news report, it appears that the drivers of the Chevy Cobalt and Camaro were racing each other on a public roadway in the middle of the day when this tragic crash occurred. Street racing is illegal under California law. California Vehicle Code section 23109 (a) states: “A person shall not engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway. As used in this section, a motor vehicle speed contest includes a motor vehicle race against another vehicle, a clock, or other timing device.”

We certainly hope officials are able to apprehend the other driver and bring him or her to justice. If you have any information about the driver of the red Camaro, please visit our website at hitandrunreward.com to offer an anonymous tip and to become eligible for a $1,000 reward. In this case, even if the other driver was not directly involved in the collision, he or she can be held criminally and civilly liable because the street racing caused the crash.

Justice for Victims

In such cases, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver or drivers. They may be able to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to help victims’ families in such cases better understand their legal rights and options and guide them about exploring additional avenues of monetary compensation and support during these difficult times.