Street Racing Has Had Tragic Results Before In G.T.A.

Despite the potential hazards, the loss of life, the devastating injuries and the damage to property, street racing isn’t against the law.

At least not technically.

The federal Conservatives have announced plans to change that this spring, but until then, cops have to rely on prohibitions like those against speeding and reckless driving.

The toll street racing takes is cumulative and can be beyond cost. In addition to Wednesday morning’s incident on the 427 believed tied to the practice, here are just a few of the more recent tragedies from the need for speed.

May 27

It was a story that left even the most hardened cops with tears in their eyes. Rob and Lisa Manchester were out celebrating their 17 ^th wedding anniversary when fate brought them to the intersection of Yonge and Stouffville Sideroad.

Also there that night – two suspected street racers. One of the cars slammed into the couple’s vehicle, killing them as they tried to make a left hand turn. He was just 47. She was only 43.

But most tragic of all is the person who was left behind at home waiting for them to return – their seven-year-old daughter Katie.

“We have information that there was two sports-type cars, Honda motor vehicles that were travelling at a high rate of speed northbound on Yonge Street immediately prior to the accident,” York Regional Police Staff Sgt. Gary Miner explained.

“It’s just sad. You’ve got a seven-year-old who’s now an orphan and people that are without relatives – it’s just sad.”

Relatives are now caring for the little girl who heartbreakingly kept asking police what happened to her parents. 

A 19-year-old and a 21-year-old both face counts of criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving.

March 18

Cops believe a race between two motorcycles resulted in the sudden death of one of them. A 22-year-old lost control of his hog at Jane and the 401, hitting the back of a tractor trailer. The two bikes were spotted weaving in and out of traffic just before the crash.

January 24

The wake-up call that nobody wanted came fast and furious at the beginning of the New Year. As cabbie Tahir Khan was attempting to make a left turn at Mt. Pleasant and St. Clair, a Mercedes Benz appeared over the crest of the hill barreling right towards him.

It hit the 46-year-old before he could get out of the way, smashing the vehicle and killing Khan, who died at the scene.

“When he made that turn, two motor vehicles at a very high rate of speed were northbound,” related Det. Paul Lobsinger. “He crossed directly into the path of those vehicles and one of these vehicles struck him.”

Alexander Ryazanov and Wang-Piao Dumani Ross have both been accused of criminal negligence causing death. Ross also faces additional charges for leaving the scene of the crash.

If convicted, the maximum penalty could be life in prison.