WESTMINSTER, Colo. — A woman was killed Sunday night when two drivers raced each other on Sheridan Boulevard and one crashed into her vehicle, police said.
At 9:10 p.m. Sunday, officers with the Westminster Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 105th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard.
Officers found that one of the drivers — a 21-year-old woman — was not conscious or breathing. An officer and witness performed CPR on the woman until she was transported to a local hospital, where she died, police said. She has not been identified.
After further investigation, police said they learned that the second vehicle had been racing with another driver southbound on Sheridan Boulevard at the time of the crash.
The 21-year-old woman had been driving northbound on Sheridan Boulevard and turned left at 105th Avenue. One of the racing cars struck her vehicle, and the other avoided the crash, police said.
"A 21-year-old girl who was just starting her life off was killed senselessly because of the decisions of two individuals to drive and involve themselves in a speed contest on our roadways," said Westminster Police Department Sgt. Ray Esslinger. "This is a tragic, tragic accident."
Both racing drivers stayed at the scene and were arrested. They have been charged with vehicular homicide - reckless driving. The driver who crashed was identified as Shimpson Huynh, 30. The other driver was identified as Adrian Lau, 20.
Tyler Maschal, a second lieutenant and communication officer with the U.S. Marine Corps, confirmed Monday afternoon that Huynh is a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The southbound lanes of Sheridan Boulevard stayed closed for several hours from 112th Avenue to 104th Avenue.
Colorado State Patrol and multiple law enforcement agencies have been working to crack down on street racing.
This year, CSP has received at least 2,700 reports on its website, ReportStreetRacing.com. At least 113 of those have come from people in Westminster. As part of an operation this summer, more than 800 summons were issued statewide.
During that same operation, Westminster Police made 230 traffic contacts, issued 226 summons, made nine arrests, gave 122 warnings and impounded nine vehicles. A total of 28 cars eluded police during the operation.
"Racing on our streets is senseless, and this is what can happen," Sgt. Esslinger said. "This is a tragedy, senseless loss of life, and our prayers go out to everybody involved."
Anybody who saw the crash is asked to call the police department at 303-658-4360.