Authorities today publicly identified two women who died when their car slammed into an oncoming SUV at a Compton intersection that was reportedly being used for an illegal street takeover.
The women were in a red Honda sedan that collided with the SUV at the intersection of Wilmington Avenue and Stockwell Street around 11:30 p.m. Sunday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
One woman was ejected from the car, officials said. Both died.
Authorities identified them as Jennyfer Flores, 18, of Long Beach and Michellie Gonzalez, 20, of Cudahy.
Approximately 200 people had gathered in the area before the collision to watch the illegal street takeover, in which drivers perform dangerous stunts in their vehicles, according to KTLA-TV.
Investigators didn’t immediately know if the Honda was part of the takeover.
The driver of the SUV, Treyshawn Cooley, said he had a green light when he crossed the intersection.
“I’m coming straight, and they come out and I hit them,” Cooley told KABC-TV.
Cooley was not seriously injured.
Neighbors told reporters that street takeovers are a common occurrence at the intersection, sometimes occurring at least twice a week.
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