Image: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

We’ve seen it all too often, and no matter how many warnings are given out, people will still take their musclecars out on the public streets and show off. There are no contingency points, no trophies, no sponsorship or endorsements, and even if you win the emotion fades and doesn’t do much for you the next day. We are taunted with shows like Street Outlaws, but even some of the people on that show have proven they are not above the law and can get themselves into trouble.

This street racing crash in Chatsworth, California, claimed the lives of two spectators standing on the side of the street.

Shows like Street Outlaws are somewhat staged, streets are often blocked off, cameras and lighting equipment is set up, and it is more of a controlled environment than what the television shows us. But out in the real streets, where street racing happens nearly every weekend, the stakes are much higher than bragging rights, and people often lose their lives – including innocent spectators.

As we have found out from several Los Angeles news stations, suspected street racing activity took place in Commerce, California, and a multi-vehicle accident was reported at 1:00 a.m. The three vehicles involved, a full-size Chevrolet pickup, a Ford Mustang, and a late model Dodge Charger, were a part of the accident that killed three people and sent another to to the hospital in critical condition.

It just isn’t worth it and this is often the tragic scene after a street race. Take it to the track, no excuses. If you don’t have one near you, organize an event, but don’t use location as an excuse.

Reports state that all occupants were ejected from their vehicles when the crash occurred. The youngest of the three that died was just 15 years old – not even old enough to drive a car himself – and yet he lost his life during a suspected street race. A Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy stated that they suspect one driver was doing donuts in the middle of the street when a second vehicle approached at a high rate of speed, causing the collision.

We love our musclecars, and we’re all about making them better and faster. But we’re also all about safety, respect, responsibility, and making it home at the end of the evening. It’s not worth it, even if someone in another lane revs on you, make the wiser choice to sleep in your own bed each night.