Maximillian Alexis Rojas
TORRANCE — No one won the street race that occurred on June 3rd on the Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance.
In fact, one motorist who was not involved in the race lost his life due to the negligence of at least two other drivers.
Luis Samaniego Barajas and Zachary Frank Leets, both 19, have been charged with 20-year-old Maximillian Rojas’s death.
During the illegal race, Barajas’ car hit the center divide, went into the opposing lanes and struck a car in oncoming traffic near 242nd Street, killing Rojas.
Leets fled the scene but was later arrested. If convicted, Barajas faces six years and Leets faces eleven years in prison. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges of vehicular manslaughter and engaging in a motor vehicle speed contest causing injury.
Their court case resumes on August 10.
