During what appears to have been a possible speed contest or at least a demonstration of horsepower in an industrial area ended with the destruction of a classic Camaro that left two men injured. According to KMSP Fox 9 in Minneapolis MN, Jerry Vang was showing off for the crowd when he lost control of his highly modified Camaro and crashed into a tree.
Vang was critically injured and transported to a hospital for treatment; Vang’s wife stated that her husband suffered several broken ribs from the crash. Based on the video of the crash it appears that the first generation Camaro lost traction (perhaps dust or dirt on the street), collided with a tree and then rolled before coming to rest in an adjacent parking lot.
A spectator was the other victim in the crash; according to investigators the man received a cut to his leg caused by the downed tree or the Camaro. Fortunately, the spectator did not sustain serious injuries and is expected to make full recovery.
Those involved in the local “street racing” scene spoke to KMSP anonymously, but they made it clear that Vang was pressured into racing by the other driver; Vang had his young son with him that night. Many of the local racers are planning on selling their cars after witnessing the crash.
Street racing is risky and illegal, but perhaps those involved should consider making the drive to a local track where emergency personnel are on hand. Based on some of the comments on the KMSP there seems to be a shortage of close drag strips, but that does not justify street racing. Luckily no one lost his or her life, but it hard to look at the mangled carcass of a once beautiful first generation Camaro.