Man Suspected in Fatal Street Race Crash Faces Charge

A man accused of causing a crash that killed a woman near South Gate is scheduled to return to court July 2.

Michael Villalobos, 20, has been charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter in connection with the death of a 24-year-old Los Angeles woman.

The case was filed May 29, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney officials. Villalobos pleaded not guilty during a June 12 arraignment, officials said.

Villalobos’ next court date is scheduled in Department 69 in Metropolitan Court. Officials expected a date for his preliminary hearing would be set that day.

Villalobos was arrested just after midnight on May 26. California Highway Patrol investigators said Villalobos was involved in a street race that ended in a three-car crash at the intersection of Alameda Street and Firestone Boulevard.

A 2003 Acura driven by Villalobos had been westbound on Firestone when it ran a red light at Alameda, according to the CHP. It collided with a northbound 1997 Honda, driven by the 24-year-old woman, according to the CHP crash report.

She was taken to St. Francis Hospital where she died.

The Acura also reportedly hit a 2008 Honda driven by a 50-year-old South Gate woman. She suffered serious injuries and was taken to Long Beach Memorial Hospital.

Her two passengers, a 15-year-old boy and a 16- year-old girl were treated for minor injuries at County USC Medical Center for treatment, CHP officers said.

--City News Service contributed to this report