'Illegal Street Race' In Los Angeles Kills 2; Police ID Driver On The Run

Police in Los Angeles have identified the driver of a car that killed two people early Thursday, while participating in what is believed to have been an illegal street race.

The deaths occurred when a “very powerful" Ford Mustang plowed into a crowd of spectators in the Chatsworth area of the city. Police identified the driver as Henry Michael Gevorgyan, who was either 21 or 22 years old. He fled the scene on foot after the accident, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"Please turn yourself in, it's just a matter of time before we get you," LAPD Detective Bill Bustos told the paper. "The community knows who you are."

One of those killed was identified by police as 26-year-old Eric Siguenza, who died at the scene, according to KTLA. The other victim's identity has not been revealed at his family's request, until relatives can be notified. Another person was hospitalized, and is said to be in a critical condition.

Detectives said that although some spectators gave assistance to the injured, everyone was gone by the time police arrived, the Times reported. Gevorgyan reportedly fled without attempting to help the victims.

Illegal street racing has become an increasingly serious problem in the city. In the past two months, police have made 23 arrests related to illegal street racing and cited 496 people who had illegally modified vehicles, The Associated Press reported.

Police inferred that movies -- like the popular “Fast & Furious” series -- may be encouraging the activity.

“Movies are done in a controlled environment with vehicles that are modified specifically to be driven by professionals in that controlled environment,” Bustos told the New York Daily News. “Not like this.”