Tempe, Arizona — A late-night street-racing incident turned deadly when a 35-year-old man allegedly pushed a Ford Mustang to 153 mph, lost control and sent the vehicle airborne before it slammed into a power pole and palm trees. The violent crash killed two people, including a woman who was reportedly thrown 80 feet from the wreckage.
Derek Grey, who is also known as Derek Glasscock, has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter in connection with the deaths of 32-year-old Jesse Ruiz and 31-year-old Maria Rangel.
Mustang Was Traveling at 153 MPH
The crash happened at approximately 1:30 a.m. on November 25, 2023, while Grey was reportedly racing another vehicle in Tempe.
According to a criminal complaint, police had spotted the Mustang traveling at more than 100 mph and attempted to stop the vehicle. Grey allegedly refused to pull over and continued driving.
The complaint reportedly described a dramatic scene shortly afterward, with a cloud of smoke rising into the air after the Mustang fled from police.
When officers eventually reached the crash site, they found a vehicle that had been split in half.
Couple Ejected From Violent Crash
Ruiz and Rangel were both ejected from the Mustang during the collision. Ruiz, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Rangel was found approximately 80 feet away from the vehicle and was transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
The investigation determined that Grey had been driving at speeds reaching 153 mph when he lost control of the Mustang. The car left the roadway and became airborne before crashing into a power pole and two palm trees.
Grey himself survived the collision but suffered several injuries, including a black eye.
Driver Reportedly Admitted Drinking
Investigators also reported that Grey made spontaneous statements indicating that he should not have been driving and that he had been drinking alcohol.
According to the criminal complaint, Grey told police that he had been at a bar with friends before the crash.
The combination of extreme speed, alleged racing and possible alcohol consumption became central to the investigation into the deaths.
Family Remembers Maria Rangel
For Rangel’s family, the crash meant losing a woman they described as deeply loved. Her brother, Max Aguino, told local media that Maria had been dating Jesse Ruiz for approximately one year.
“She was happy. She was a beautiful soul, and a beautiful person,” Aguino said.
The couple’s deaths came from a crash that lasted only moments but left their families facing a permanent loss.
Sentencing Is Set for September
Grey has now pleaded guilty to two manslaughter counts, bringing the criminal case closer to its conclusion. His sentencing is scheduled for September 23.
The case serves as another devastating example of how extreme speeds on public roads can turn a late-night drive into a deadly collision within seconds.
Investigators said the Mustang was traveling at a speed that left little room for the driver to regain control once the vehicle began leaving the roadway.
For Ruiz and Rangel’s families, however, the consequences extend far beyond the courtroom, with two lives lost in a crash that authorities say began with a dangerous decision to drive at extraordinary speed.
What do you think should be the punishment for drivers involved in deadly high-speed street racing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.