A make-shift memorial was erected Monday at the spot where two young men died on Easter morning during what was being investigated by the CHP as a possible street racing-related crash in West Puente Valley.
The 26-year-old driver, Johnny Deleon of West Covina and 19-year-old passenger Jonathan Londono of La Puente, were killed when their white Chevrolet Malibu slammed into a truck parked on Puente Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A 23-year-old woman in the car sustained serious internal injuries in the crash but survived.
A witness said the Malibu was traveling at close to 80 mph and appeared to be racing a beige sedan, a news release from the CHP stated.
“If anybody has any information … we ask them to come forward,” said CHP Officer Rodrigo Jimenez. “A family is grieving because of this tragic incident.”
The crash occurred on the same weekend Universal Studio’s “Furious 7” brought in a record $143.6 million at the box office.
Street-racing movies can inspire copycats to try to imitate the type of driving they see on the screen on neighborhood streets, according to the CHP.
Friends of the victims were urging drivers to be careful.
“We wouldn’t want anyone to speed race … because it’s very dangerous and could hurt innocent people,” said family friend Jamie Gomez.