Obituaries

Calabasas Teen Killed By Suspected Street Racers In Fiery Crash

A 19-year-old Calabasas woman was one of three people killed at the scene of a crash in Burbank.

CALABASAS, CA — A Calabasas teen was among three people killed by apparent street racers in a fiery three-vehicle collision in Burbank Tuesday. Criminal charges may be filed in connection with the crash, police said.

Authorities identified 19-year-old Natalee Asal Moghaddam among the victims of the crash. She died at the scene of the crash along with 21-year-old Pasadena resident Cerain Anthony Raekwon Baker and 20-year-old Burbank resident Jaiden Kishon Johnson. None of the three victims were believed to be involved in the street race, according to police. Street racing has long been a deadly problem and target of police enforcement operations in the San Fernando Valley.

The crash occurred at about 11:50 p.m. Tuesday on North Glenoaks Boulevard at Andover Drive, said Sgt. Emil Brimway of the Burbank Police Department.

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When police officers and paramedics arrived, they found the two men and Moghaddam who had been ejected from a silver Volkswagen. None were conscious or breathing and were pronounced dead at the scene, said Sgt. Emil Brimway of the Burbank Police Department.

A fourth occupant of the Volkswagen sustained serious injuries and was taken to a local trauma center for medical treatment.

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It was not immediately known who was driving the car.

"Officers located a second vehicle involved, a gray Kia, which was only occupied by a driver," Brimway said. "The driver of the Kia sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local trauma center for medical treatment."

A black Mercedes, occupied by a driver and passenger, was also involved in the crash, Brimway said. Neither person was injured. They were interviewed by police and released.

"The preliminary investigation has revealed that the Kia and Mercedes- Benz were traveling northbound on Glenoaks Boulevard at a high rate of speed for several blocks and appeared to be racing," Brimway said. "The Volkswagen was attempting to negotiate a left turn from southbound Glenoaks Boulevard to eastbound Andover Drive, when the traffic collision occurred."

One car was "partially broken in half," police said.

"I've been doing this for 20 years, and I haven't seen anything like this before," Brimway told Fox11.

Several parked vehicles also were damaged.

"We recently put out a public service announcement about speeding and street racing and how it is illegal and dangerous," Brimway told KTLA5. "We also do targeted enforcement with our traffic bureau, as well as our patrol officers, on a regular basis."

"This collision remains under investigation by Burbank Police Department traffic detectives," Brimway said. "Upon completion of this investigation, detectives will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for criminal filing consideration."

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information was asked to contact the Burbank Police Traffic Bureau at 818-238-3100.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.

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