Two men have been charged with murder after their alleged street race led to the death of a 20-year-old woman in South Los Angeles. The incident occurred on the evening of July 21, 2023, when Anna Michelle Solis was struck by one of the two vehicles involved in a street race on Hill Street near 33rd Street. The drivers, later identified as Javorrie Murphy, 25, and Devin Wagner, 19, fled the scene after the crash, leaving Solis dead at the scene.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) launched an extensive investigation, involving multiple specialized teams, including those focused on gangs, narcotics, metro operations, and street racing. The breakthrough came when investigators were able to identify the car involved by using pieces of the damaged Jaguar, which was traced back to a dealership. As a result, Murphy was arrested on charges of felony hit-and-run and second-degree murder, while Wagner, who drove the Dodge Charger, was arrested on second-degree murder charges. Both men were held with a bail of $2 million each, and the cars were impounded for evidence.
This case serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of street racing. Under the Vehicular Manslaughter law, Cal. Pen. Code § 192(c) defines “gross negligence” to include street racing AND driving over 100 m.p.h., but the code does not prohibit charging PC 187 Murder under an “implied malice” theory. Vehicular Manslaughter carries a sentence of up to 10 years, whereas a second degree murder conviction is 15 years to life.
A recent street race case I personally handled which resulted in a fatality, involved alleged speeds of over 150 m.p.h. Murder was charged and a plea was negotiated for vehicular manslaughter. The problem in such cases is the forensic evidence, including the “black box” which records speeds prior to a collision.
One Response