Street Racing Victim Was ‘Not Just a Number'

A memorial has been set up along State Route 67 by friends and family of a young wife and mother killed in an alleged street racing crash along State Route 67 in Ramona Sunday.

Alex Drake, 25, died after her car was hit head-on by a Jaguar racing a white BMW, according to the California Highway Patrol.

 "We want the District Attorney to know that Alex is not just a number on the side of the road, this is real. She had a family, a life. At 25 years old, you should not lose your life," said Jay Drake, Alex's husband.

Alex had married Jay 15 months ago and the couple had just given birth to their first baby, a boy named Jayden, one month ago.

"Thank goodness my son is ok but that doesn't bring back Alex," said Jay Monday night.

On Sunday, Alex was driving to Fashion Valley with Jayden in the backseat. She was following her mom, Pamela Shone McKeirnan of Ramona, who was driving ahead in a separate car.

Jaguar traveling northbound, at speeds between 75 and 100 mph according to the CHP, lost control and crossed lanes into oncoming traffic at Quail Rock.

The Jaguar first struck McKeirnan’s car forcing it to spin around and face the opposite direction just in time for McKeirnan to see the Jaguar slam head-on into the car carrying her daughter and grandchild.

The driver, Melvin Pearless, 47, was injured in the crash.  CHP says he may face vehicular manslaughter charges in connection with Alex's death.

Alex’s car flipped onto the driver’s side and struck a tree. Paramedics took her to Palomar Medical Center by ambulance but she died from her injuries just before 4 p.m., according to the San Diego County medical examiner.

Jayden was strapped in a car seat and unhurt CHP officers said. Alex's husband is angry and profoundly sad that his son will never know his mother.

"Right after that we bought this house, and then right after that our son was born -- four weeks ago. And then, four weeks after he's born, his mother is gone," said Jay Drake.

At least two other people were injured.

The driver of a white BMV that was believed to have been racing the Jaguar did not stop. Officers had previously thought the second car was a Mercedes.

Investigators are searching for that driver and are asking anyone with information to call them at (619) 401-2000.

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