Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies are investigating reports from residents of street racing in the Sand Canyon area, officials said Thursday. 

Deputies didn’t confirm any illegally organized street races or activity, but patrol cars are in the area “in the evening and early morning,” said Sgt. Richard Cohen, who leads the Sheriff’s Station’s Traffic Unit. “We verify (the reports) by having deputies go there. We’ve been getting mixed information.”

A resident witnessed street racing taking place during the hours of 11 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., according to an email sent out by the Sand Canyon Homeowners Association. 

“I would like to warn the community of this serious issue and also bring awareness to what is going on,” said Karin Tucker. “We have seen the cars and it is horrific how fast they are going, it really is an accident waiting to happen. The potential for a major accident is huge and any one of us or our teenage children could be (affected) when driving late at night on Sand Canyon Road.”

Tucker reported that the races begin near Lost Canyon Road and run south towards Placerita Canyon Road, often taking up both of the lanes on the two-lane road.

Sand Canyon Road has had a history of traffic collisions caused by a high rate of speed with the most recent being the death of Dakota Demott in 2012 after he was ejected from a friend’s Ford Mustang when it hit a tree.

“In the past 10 years, from 2003 to 2013, 271 traffic accidents and seven deaths have occurred on Sand Canyon Road, “ said Deputy Josh Dubin of the SCV Sheriff’s Station in a 2014 interview. “The most common cause of accidents is failure to yield and the most common age range of people involved in accidents on Sand Canyon Road is 16-25 years old.” 

But city of Santa Clarita officials have been working to implement Speed Feedback Signs, re-striping of the road and the addition of guardrails.

“The city is trying to make Sand Canyon Road safer,” said Evan Thomason, communications representative for the city of Santa Clarita, in a previous interview. “We have been working with sheriffs department for more enforcements.”

Sheriff’s Station deputies continue to work to send messages about driving at a high rate of speed and driving distracted.

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station News Release:

Sheriff’s Station deputies are raising awareness of the perils of street racing and encouraging residents of the Santa Clarita Valley to report such activity by calling 911 before a tragedy occurs, officials said Wednesday. 

Each year as spring and summer time approaches, deputies assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station see an increase of sideshow or street racing activities, according to a news release. In fact, these type of activities can be found in communities across Southern California. 

Street racing events continually draw in participants who create a public safety hazard through their unsafe driving and obstruction of public roadways, according to a news release. As a result of their aggressive behavior, other crimes such as assault with a deadly weapon, DUI, and general disturbances of peace frequently occur.

Illegal sideshows and street racing events are reckless, unsafe and unlawful, according to a news release. They pose an extreme danger to those participating in the activity, other motorists and bystanders.

People involved in these activities within the Santa Clarita Valley should expect deputies to take decisive action against them, including citations with enhanced fines, vehicle impounds and jail time for felony and misdemeanor charges, according to a news release.

Not only is street racing illegal to participate in, but spectating is also illegal, according to a news release. Spectators can receive a citation for watching the street race.

Deputies assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station will continue to monitor illegal street racing and take appropriate action when they come into our patrol area, according to a news release. Street racing cannot be tolerated in any form.

Street racing is a misdemeanor crime under Section 23109 (a) of the California Vehicle Code, according to a news release. Persons caught participating in a speed contest can have their vehicles impounded for 30 days at their own expense per Section 23109.2 (a)(1) of the California Vehicle Code.

A driver arrested for street racing can expect to pay some very heavy fines, as well as having their driver’s license suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles, resulting in higher insurance premiums, according to a news release. The financial cost is insignificant when someone greatly injures themselves or claims the life of an innocent bystander.

If any member of the public is aware of street racing activity in progress or about to occur, call 911 and provide license plate numbers, descriptions of vehicles and subjects involved, according to a news release. If you witness any incidents relating to street racing, or if you have any further information or concerns, please contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121.

You can also remain anonymous by calling “LA Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website at LAcrimstoppers.org (reference #01113).