BAKERSFIELD, California — On Thursday, March 7, 2024 Javontae Murphy and Brian Dickerson received their sentencing for their involvement in a tragic street racing crash that claimed the life of a fellow racer in Bakersfield.
Both individuals entered a plea of no contest to charges of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and felony engaging in a speed contest resulting in injuries. In exchange for their plea, they were ordered to serve 200 hours of community service and placed on two-year felony probation.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of March 17, 2021, involved three vehicles racing at speeds exceeding 100 mph along Panama Lane. Among them was Antwon Washington, 29, whose Maserati Quattroporte crashed, rolling and striking trees before he was ejected from the vehicle and tragically killed at the scene.
While Murphy briefly stopped his Dodge Challenger at the crash site near Stine Road for five minutes, he left once the first patrol vehicle arrived, as per court documents. On the other hand, Dickerson, driving a Cadillac XT5 SUV, remained at the scene following the crash.
According to police investigations, it was determined that Washington reached a top speed of 123 mph, with Dickerson and Murphy hitting speeds of 107 mph and 104 mph, respectively. Surveillance footage and phone records ultimately led investigators to Murphy. The sentencing serves as a somber reminder of the dangers associated with street racing and the severe consequences that can result from such behavior.
