Deadly street racing crash in Albany leaves 2 dead, residents demand action

Community members in Albany are speaking out after a deadly street racing crash in Dougherty County left two people dead.

(CNN)- Community members in Albany are speaking out after a deadly street racing crash in Dougherty County left two people dead, calling the tragedy both shocking and preventable.

“Well, I was just shocked,” said Michael Fowler. “I mean, I know it happens in big cities, and here in Albany it probably happens, but I’ve never been a part of seeing it. Like I said, it’s something that can be prevented… two lives just taken for something senseless. This is just a tragedy for Dougherty County.”

Neighbors who live near the stretch of road where the crash happened say illegal racing is a constant issue — and one they’ve raised concerns about before. Many say what happened Saturday night is exactly what they feared.

One resident told WALB that the area lacks safety measures, with crowds often gathering dangerously close to the roadway.

“There are no guard rails, and people line the sides of the road with their cars and sit in folding chairs,” the resident said. “It’s crazy that police can’t stop it. They need to put speed bumps down on that stretch of road.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, illegal drag racing seriously injures more than 100 people each year. Officials say the dangers go beyond just high speeds, pointing to the unpredictable risks that come with reckless driving.

“It can be prevented by somebody thinking and not doing it,” Fowler added. “People get these cars and want to test how fast they are, but you’ve got a lot of people standing around. Anything can happen — a tire can blow out, you can lose control. Anything is possible.”

For some in the community, the loss is deeply personal.

“Sadness. Very just sad. It’s very painful,” said Ren’ee Rentmeester. “There was no good reason for this to happen. It’s so preventable. It makes my heart sick.”

As the community mourns, many are calling for stronger enforcement and safety measures to prevent another tragedy.