A 2018 Dodge Challenger, 2014 Infiniti Q50S, and 2004 Ford Explorer were traveling north on Georgia Avenue. A 2009 Honda Civic was traveling south on Georgia Avenue and was attempting to make a left turn onto the entrance ramp of eastbound MD 200 (the ICC) when the collision occurred. The Challenger swerved in front of the Civic making glancing contact between the rear portion of Challenger and front bumper of the Civic. The Infiniti then struck the Civic, spun off and was struck by the Explorer. The driver of the Civic, victim, Rene Hernandez Jr, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Numerous witnesses informed investigators that prior to the collision, the Challenger and Infiniti were traveling at a very high rate of speed, weaving through traffic to pass other vehicles, revving engines at stop lights, accelerating heavily from stop lights, and “obviously racing.” Roadway evidence and vehicle damage were also consistent with a high-speed collision. In September 2019, pursuant to a District Court search warrant, an investigator imaged the Infiniti’s Event Data Recorder, which indicated that the Infiniti (which was second in the race behind the Challenger) was traveling 106 mph 5 seconds before striking the Civic.
