(Lead Photo: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The participants of what is known as the Chatsworth Street Racing Crash have received their punishments. If you’ll recall, on February 26, 2015, a street race between a Ford Mustang and a Nissan GT-R on a stretch of road known as “Canoga Speedway” went horribly wrong the second the flashlight lit up. The Mustang lost control and two bystanders, 26 year old Eric Siguenza and 50 year old Wilson Thomas Wong, were killed. Naturally, the media went full-kill witch hunt, especially when they learned that the driver of the GT-R was Irael Valenzuela…a man who had a fairly loose tie to the Street Outlaws television show. Naturally, Chatsworth then hit the national spotlight and street racing, and racing in general, went right back under the public microscope. Not a good time for any gearhead who normally does the right thing.
On Monday, January 4th, 2016, the driver of the Mustang, 43 year old Karen Gary Balyan, was sentenced to 12 years for two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, fleeing the scene during the commission of the crime, and one misdemeanor count of assault with a deadly weapon. Valenzuela entered a no contest plea for two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and has received one year jail time, five years formal probation and a suspended license during the probation period. The owner of the Mustang, Henry Gevorgyan, was sentenced to a year in jail, three years formal probation and license suspension. And, because California, both cars were ordered to be destroyed.
We aren’t surprised in the least. No matter your stance on street racing, it’s still very much illegal, and as a result of the illegal actions, two men died at the scene of the crash. And take note: fleeing the scene. They didn’t even stick around to make sure everyone was alright…there was an accident and they ran, leaving the injured to fend for themselves.
Defense should have used affluenza defense
Its really awesome to see some justice for street racing deaths.
So sick of anything ‘ Street Outlaws’.
Talk about setting the view on car enthusiasts back 75 years.
I think they got off to easy. They should have been charged and convicted for two counts of murder. Then sentenced like any other murderer.
I agree.
I agree some justice was done but both should have gotten longer sentences. Ever since that fake show came on there is more and more deaths including 2 in my home town. And if you don’t think the show is fake, Sterling Hts Michigan refused to shut down a road for them to film on that’s the reason they couldn’t race the Michigan racers this past season
The people that were caused their own deaths by being stupid! Anyone who stands in front of two cars racing is asking for it. They were not innocent victims. They were participants according to CA law. The drivers should of been convicted of street racing and property damage and no more. Anyone that stands a few feet in front of a race car is asking for a Darwin Award!
You weren’t there so you have no idea at all how close the deceased were to these cars, so shut your trap. You’re only making yourself look ignorant.
“Karen Gary”???