In connection with a street-racing accident that occurred in the west Valley and resulted in the death of one individual, two drivers from the Valley have been punished.
An investigation conducted by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has determined that Jakari Barksdale, age 21, and Emanuel Cervantez, age 21, will each serve seven years in jail for their respective roles in the Avondale crash that took place in May of 2021.
Barksdale and Cervantez were both 17 years old at the time of the collision of their vehicles. When Barksdale collided with a pickup vehicle that was turning through the junction, the authorities say that they were traveling at speeds above one hundred miles per hour near the intersection of Avondale Boulevard and Broadway Road.
As a result of the impact of the collision, the truck was shattered in two, and the driver was killed instantaneously.
In May of 2021, the collision took place close to the intersection of Avondale Boulevard and Broadway Road. According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Jakari Barksdale and Emanuel Cervantez will each serve seven years in jail for their respective roles in the collision.
“The investigation revealed that the race was pre-arranged by text message and recorded by bystanders,” the MCAO said in a press release. “The competition was recorded by these individuals.” It was proven by witnesses and cellphone video that Barksdale’s BMW and a Dodge Charger driven by Cervantez were racing side by side when the BMW crashed with the vehicle that was carrying the driver of the victim. Following his narrow escape from the collision, Cervantez ran away from the site.
Despite being adults, Barksdale and Cervantez were brought to justice. In a guilty plea, Barksdale admitted to the charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault. Manslaughter and fleeing the scene of a tragic accident were the charges that Cervantez entered a guilty plea to.
“This was not a tragic accident; rather, it was the direct result of reckless choices and a complete disregard for human life,” said Rachel Mitchell, the attorney for Maricopa County. “This case is a stark reminder that street racing is not a game; it’s a crime with deadly consequences.”
