LA Street Racers Plead No Contest To Manslaughter

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — The 44-year-old driver of a souped-up Mustang that went out of control and killed two spectators during an illegal street race in Chatsworth has pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Karen Gary Balyan also pleaded no contest Tuesday to assault with a deadly weapon and acknowledged fleeing the scene of the deadly crash.

Authorities say seconds after the race began on Feb. 26, Balyan's car slammed into a curb and struck three people.

Henry Gevorgyan, 21, of Van Nuys, was racing another vehicle on Plummer Street from Canoga Avenue when he lost control of his car and struck several pedestrians. Gevorgyan failed to stop and help the injured victims and he fled from the scene.

Eric Siguenza, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene. Wilson Thomas Wong, 50, was transported to a hospital where he later died. A third man was seriously injured.

Gevorgyan is charged with aiding and abetting a crime.

The other driver, Israel Valenzuela, also pleaded no contest Tuesday to vehicular manslaughter.

Balyan faces 12 years in prison. Valenzuela faces 180 days.

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