Police say a father brought his 13-year-old son to an illegal street race, during which he was struck and killed by a motorcycle driver going more than 100 miles per hour.
The incident unfolded on Jan. 28 in St. Petersburg, Florida, at a race near 28th Street and 110th Avenue at about 12:35 a.m.
St. Petersburg police said 35-year-old Johnny Julio Martin brought his son, Ethan Martin, to the race, but the boy stepped into the street and was struck by the motorcycle.
Ethan was killed, and the driver of the motorcycle was injured. He was taken to a hospital where he remained in critical, but stable, condition.
Another spectator was also seriously hurt after the collision, according to police. He took himself to a hospital where he was admitted in stable condition.
Police arrested the father on Wednesday and charged him with child neglect resulting in death. He was also cited a spectator in the illegal car race.
Francis Simpson, the mother of the boy, said she shared custody of her child with his father and didn’t know that he was taking him to the illegal street race.
“We take these things very seriously when we decide to charge a parent for something that happened as a result of their actions,” said St. Petersburg police Sgt. Michael Schade.
“He brought his son to an illegal event, allowed his son to watch this illegal event, and as a result of being there, resulted in the death of the son,” he added.
Martin was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Illegal street racing and “takeovers” are becoming an increasing problem across the country.
In another harrowing incident in Los Angeles, California, video showed a truck driver lose control and crash into a crowd of spectators. One woman was killed, and police believe that many others were injured. The family of the 24-year-old said she became a fan of street races because of the “Fast and Furious” movie franchise.
Here’s a local news report about the incident:
Florida man charged after son dies at illegal street racing eventwww.youtube.com
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