Auto News, Garage Talk, Maryland News — February 16, 2008 at 5:58 am

8 Dead after car plows into crowd watching “street race”

8 Dead after car plows into crowd watching street race — Accokeek, MD.

*NOTE* Before believing all the hearsay that has been floating around the forums the past day or so… weigh the evidence and wait for an official report from the investigators. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.

Brief introduction to incident…

ACCOKEEK, Md. — A car plowed into a crowd that had gathered to watch an illegal street race on a suburban road early Saturday, killing eight people and injuring at least five others, authorities said.

Police said the white Crown Victoria was not involved in the street race but accidentally drove into the crowd of about 50 people that had spilled into the northbound lanes of the divided highway to watch two racing cars speed off.

Police interview the driver, but no charges are pending

Driver likely never saw the crowd when he plowed into bystanders, police say

Officer: “Probably one of the worst scenes I’ve ever seen”

At least five people were also hurt in the crash

ACCOKEEK, Md. — A car plowed into a group of street-racing fans obscured by a cloud of tire smoke on a highway Saturday, killing eight people and scattering bodies in the early morning darkness.

At least five others were injured in the gruesome wreck along a flat, isolated stretch of highway about 20 miles south of Washington known for illegal races.

About 50 people were gathered before dawn along Route 210 as two cars spun their wheels, kicked up smoke and sped off, said Prince George’s County police Cpl. Clinton Copeland.

Fans had spilled onto the smoky, dark road to watch the cars drive away when a white Ford Crown Victoria unexpectedly came up from behind and smashed into them.

Think twice before heading out to a street race… whether you’re a driver or a spectator…

Links to news reports from various news outlets w/ original titles…

(Links may become inactive after a period of time)

Notice the titles of these news stories. Biased much?

Also note: All the news sources changed their titles from “drag race” to “street race”.

Local news:

8 Killed in Illegal Street Racing Crash – ABC2News

8 Dead In Apparent Street-Racing Crash – WJZ

Police Say 8 Killed At Maryland Street Race – WBALTV

Car Hits Md. Street-Race Crowd; 8 Killed – The Examiner

National news…

8 People Are Killed at Site of an Illegal Road Race – NY Times