Oklahoma City, Okla. — A late-night crash in Oklahoma City on May 24 claimed the lives of a 12-year-old boy and his grandmother, leading to second-degree murder charges against a Duncan man.
The incident occurred at 12:28 a.m. near Northwest 39th Street and Willow Springs Avenue. According to police, 31-year-old Felix Santiesteban Acosta was racing a Dodge Challenger when he struck the rear of a Chevy Tahoe carrying seven occupants. The impact caused the Tahoe to roll multiple times.
Victims Ihan Mares, 12, and Cecilia Vasquez, 62, were ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal head injuries. Both were wearing seat belts and were later pronounced dead at the hospital. Five others in the Tahoe, including three children, sustained injuries, some serious.
Following the crash, the Challenger collided with a third vehicle and came to a stop. Investigators reported that Santiesteban Acosta was driving under the influence and did not have a valid driver's license. The driver of the Tahoe also lacked a license, while the driver of the third vehicle had an expired license.
Santiesteban Acosta suffered a broken pelvis and was transported to the hospital before his arrest. He faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, aggravated DUI, reckless driving, and driving without a license, with a bond set at $2 million.
Debris from the crash remains at the scene, where a roadside memorial for the victims has been established. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist with funeral expenses.
Police reiterated that illegal street racing could result in arrest and vehicles being impounded for up to 90 days, emphasizing that spectators may also face citations or arrest.