A 14-year-old girl was killed Monday morning after she was thrown from a speeding car that crashed into a pole and struck two trees in the 600 block of northbound Canal Boulevard, police said.
The 11-year-old sister of the girl suffered significant injuries in the 5:17 a.m. crash and was hospitalized in critical condition, according to a Richmond Police Department press release posted online Tuesday,
Police, who discovered the crash via iPhone alerts, said two 15-year-old boys who were in the car left the accident scene. One was found at a hospital seeking treatment, and the other was located at a Richmond residence.
Police received conflicting information about who was driving the Infinity G35 which was reported stolen to the San Pablo Police Department on Saturday.
Investigators will look at DNA evidence to determine who was driving the car.
Police said: “We are saddened by this senseless tragedy that has resulted in the loss of such a young life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and the remaining victim who remains hospitalized.”
Street safety throughout Richmond has emerged as one of the top issues mentioned by voters and candidates alike this election season, as the city prepares to fill three seats on the city council: In District 5, located just east of the crash site, one candidate called Carlson a “death trap;” in a District 6 candidates forum, preventing sideshows was a contentious topic; and in District 1, residents told Richmondside they too are concerned about sideshows, with one person saying she fears someone spinning in circles in the street will hit a house or pedestrian.
In June, the council approved funding to make safety improvements to 18 problematic intersections, though Canal was not among them.
