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The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office has filed murder charges against two drivers involved in a fatal street-racing crash that killed 20-year-old musician Anna Solis. The drivers, Javorrie Murphy and Devin Wagner, allegedly hit Solis while racing on a street near USC, and fled the scene. Solis was remembered as a talented musician and a student at Pasadena City College. Sixteen people died in street-racing-related accidents in Los Angeles last year. Cari Spencer reported
Following a live music performance, 20-year-old Anna Solis tragically lost her life as she attempted to cross a street near USC to meet her boyfriend.
On that fateful night, while carrying her guitar and amp, she was struck by a vehicle involved in an illegal street race, resulting in her immediate death, according to the police.
Charges of murder have now been filed by the district attorney’s office against the two drivers believed to be responsible for the race, with one of them also facing an additional felony hit-and-run charge for failing to stop after the collision.
Further details can be found in the article titled “Inside L.A.’s deadly street takeover scene: ‘A scene of lawlessness'”.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:20 p.m. on July 21, when Solis was struck while crossing an unmarked crosswalk on Hill Street and 33rd Street in South Los Angeles, as reported by the Los Angeles Police Department.
At the time of the accident, a black Jaguar and a black Dodge Challenger were engaged in the street race. The Jaguar was traveling at a speed at least twice the 35-mph speed limit, as stated by LAPD Det. Calvin DeHesa.
Both drivers fled the scene after hitting Solis, without stopping to provide any assistance. They escaped by heading northbound on Hill Street.
Police identified the driver of the Jaguar as Javorrie Murphy, a resident of Palmdale. The driver of the Dodge Challenger was identified as Devin Wagner from Los Angeles.
Last week, both drivers were arrested on suspicion of murder, and their bail was set at $2 million.
The district attorney’s office has now officially filed murder charges against both drivers, while Murphy also faces a felony hit-and-run charge.
Solis, remembered as a talented singer, composer, and musician proficient in various instruments, including the trumpet and violin, was a student at Pasadena City College. She actively participated in the Rose Parade marching band as a trumpet player and graduated from Montebello High School in 2020.
To cover the funeral expenses, Solis’s boyfriend, Alberto Lopez, initiated a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe.
Expressing his grief, Lopez wrote on the page, “Anna is a beautiful soul, and we will always remember her for her beauty and love. She was passionate about her music and the Los Angeles scene, always ready to help and perform with all her heart whenever given the opportunity.”
The article titled “Release of new ‘Fast and Furious’ movie prompts police to warn about the dangers of street racing” provides additional insights.
During a presentation to the civilian Police Commission in June, LAPD Deputy Chief Donald Graham revealed that sixteen individuals lost their lives in street-racing-related accidents last year.
Stay updated with Essential California, your daily guide to news, opinions, and life in the Golden State.
This story was originally published in the Los Angeles Times.
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