Street racing may be factor in deadly Ventura Boulevard collision

Illegal street racing may have led to a violent crash on Ventura Boulevard on Saturday that left three people dead and four others injured.

Los Angeles police investigators continue to scour evidence taken from the deadly collision that occurred about 9 p.m. in the 20900 block of Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills. So far, they said, it appears as though street racing could have been a factor.

“It was a really horrific traffic collision,” Los Angeles Police Det. Bill Bustos said. “A tremendous amount of force was there.”

Although it’s unclear what led to the crash, Bustos said the driver of a black 2015 Ford Mustang was speeding as he traveled westbound on Ventura Boulevard and collided with a white 2015 Mercedes.

After colliding at the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and De Soto Avenue, the Mustang struck a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu traveling eastbound. From there, the Mustang continued west and hit a parked Honda Accord, finally coming to a rest and bursting into flames.

Armed with fire extinguishers, witnesses ran to the Mustang and doused the flames.

Firefighters used extraction tools in an effort to remove a rear passenger, but all three occupants of the Mustang died.

Investigators are working to identify the three dead men and notify their families. At least some of them appeared to be Kuwaiti nationals, authorities said.

One of the men was identified as Mubarak Alqashout, 20, of Woodland Hills, according to Ed Winter, spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. The second victim was described as a 21-year-old man. The third victim was described only as male.

Based on witness accounts and evidence collected at the crash site, Bustos said the Mustang was driving at “freeway speeds,” well above the posted 40 mph speed limit.

“Everybody was put at risk,” Bustos said of the driver’s high speed. “This is an area where businesses are open. People are out walking around.”

Bustos is looking for a white, four-door sedan and a pickup that were in the area at the time of the crash. Surveillance video shows the vehicles traveling on the wide road before and after the crash.

The drivers of those vehicles could provide clues as to what happened, Bustos said.

Ventura Boulevard, like several other wide roads in the San Fernando Valley, has been used for street racing in the past.

Races can occur suddenly, he said.

“It’s spontaneous,” Bustos said. “All you need is two drivers to look at each other and decide to race.”

Saturday’s collision could have been avoided if the driver wasn’t so reckless, authorities said.

“It’s such a tragic loss of life,” Bustos said.

For breaking news in California, follow VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.