Woman hit by suspected drag racers dies

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An Albuquerque woman has died from injuries suffered when her car was hit by two drivers police say may have been drag racing on Central Avenue last week.

Tara Garcia, 27, died overnight from her injuries, KRQE News 13 learned Tuesday.

Albuquerque police are continuing to investigate, and it is not yet known if the two drivers will be charged with vehicular homicide.

The crash happened at the intersection of Central and 90th Street NW just before 5 p.m. on June 26.

Police suspect two men were drag racing westbound when they crashed into Garcia, who was entering Central from a stop sign on southbound 90th. The first officers on the scene found her in the wreckage of her car unconscious and barely breathing.

According to the police report, David Jansen, 37, was in the left lane in his black Ford Mustang when he hit Garcia's Mazda on the front driver's side and spun it into the right lane. There Anthony Ramos, 32, then struck the rear of Garcia's car with his black BMW.

Both drivers said Garcia pulled out in front of them with Ramos saying it appeared Garcia did not come to a full stop before entering the intersection.

The investigating officer quoted a witness as saying Jansen and Ramos were racing, and the crash report lists "excessive speed, other improper driving' by Jansen and Ramos as contributing factors in the collision.

The computers have been pulled from both men's cars to determine how they were driving leading up to the crash.

The officer also reported Garcia's failure to yield as a contributing factor.

None of the drivers had consumer alcohol prior to the crash, according to the report.

Police said charges are pending and that the case will be forwarded to the district attorney for possible presentation to a grand jury.