March 28--A speeding Mercedes crashed into a tree and burst into flames Friday night in Beverly Hills in an accident neighbors suspect was caused by illegal street racing.
Three teenage boys who were in the Mercedes, which crashed around 11:30 p.m., were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, according to media reports.
Neighbors said they believed they heard a second car racing down the street at the same time as the Mercedes.
Resident Michael Chasteen told KCAL-TV that the stretch of Benedict Canyon Drive where the accident occurred, has become popular with people who like to race exotic cars. "The word is out that you can drive as fast as you want, however you want, without regard to anyone's safety in Benedict Canyon," he said.
Chasteen urged police to enforce the speed limit.
Kenneth Price, an officer in the LAPD's West Traffic Division said the accident was under investigation, "we can't say if it's street racing or not."
Nobody has so far been cited or arrested as a result of the incident, Price said.
