Traffic deaths linked to street racing

Grand Prairie—The Grand Prairie Police Department is investigating a fatality accident that occurred on Aug. 10.

At approximately 8:15 p.m., a Chevy Traverse traveling north on South Belt Line Road was turning left onto Kingston Drive when it collided with a red Dodge Charger.

Three occupants in the Traverse were pronounced deceased at the scene. Two other occupants were transported to a local hospital where one succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased by medical staff. The fifth passenger remains in critical condition.

Based on witness statements, detectives believe the driver of the red Dodge Charger was traveling at a high rate of speed and racing another vehicle, described as a white Dodge Charger Daytona, that fled the scene after the collision.

The driver of the red Dodge Charger, identified as Jaime Mesa, 20 years of age of Irving, was transported to a local hospital where he remains with non-life-threatening injuries.

Mesa, who is in police custody at a local hospital, has been charged with four Counts of Racing on a Highway Causing Death, four counts of Manslaughter, one count of Racing on a Highway Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

On Aug. 11 at around 10:30p.m., detectives located and arrested the driver of the white Charger who fled the scene. Anthony Morales, 22 years of age, was arrested at his residence without incident. Moralas is charged with four counts of Racing on a Highway Causing Death and one count of Racing on a Highway Causing Serious Bodily Injury.

The identity of the deceased will be released by the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office once next of kin have been notified.

This collision remains under investigation.

SOURCE Grand Prairie Police Department