Man charged with killing woman he allegedly challenged to street race
A Sunland man has been charged in the death of a woman who was killed after he challenged her to a street race, authorities said.
Luis Tamayo Tapia, 28, faces one count of murder in the death of 38-year-old Claudia Perez of Sun Valley, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors said Perez was engaged in a street race with Tapia on Oct. 24 about 12:20 a.m. when her car hit a tree on Sunland Boulevard near La Canada Way in Shadow Hills.
Firefighters had cut Perez’s vehicle to reach her and pry her out. But she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tapia was arrested shortly after the crash.
If he is convicted of killing Perez, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
His arraignment has been set for Dec. 3.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.
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