Street racer dies in Collier accident (I didn't know a CRX could go that fast!)

WBBH-TV Ft. Meyers ^ | 1.21.04

[mhking]

COLLIER COUNTY, January 21, 2004 — A street racer going more than 80 miles an hour lost control of his car and paid with his life Tuesday night. The passenger in 20-year-old Enrique "Jesus" Puldon's car survived, and he now has a warning for all those who participate in illegal street races.

Deputies say Puldon was heading westbound on Golden Gate Parkway at more than 45 miles an hour above the speed limit.

"He pulled up next to another vehicle," said passenger Lenny Griff, Puldon's best friend. "He liked to show off his car. He was very proud. He gunned it and lost control trying to take a turn."

Griff says Puldon's was going too fast, hit a curb and flipped the car three times. The Honda CRX ended up resting on a lamppost.

Puldon was killed instantly. Griff says he can't believe his only injury is a torn rotator cuff. The other car didn't stop.

Griff says the street racing culture is growing – both he and Puldon were a big part of it.

"We did a lot of time in that car," Griff said.

He says they were influenced by the movie "The Fast and the Furious" – but he now has a warning for others.

"Life is not like a movie," Griff said.

It's a lesson Griff says he wants no one else to learn by witnessing the death of their best friend.

"The sheriff's office is aware this problem is growing," said Lt. Harold Minch of the Collier County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies are on the lookout to crackdown on street racing.

"On a street, there's really no need for a car that generates that kind of horsepower," Minch said.

Other racers agree.

"[The street] is not a place for it. It should be taken out to the strip, a controlled environment," said racer Tom Vantol.

A legal drag racing strip exists in Immokalee. On Friday nights, they welcome street racing of all kinds for a small fee. The strip has grown in popularity, and dozens of cars turn up every weekend to show off.

Griff says he's learned his lesson, and he's all left with are memories.

"I'll never forget my best friend, Jesus. Don't think this can't happen to you."

The sheriff's office is continuing to investigate the accident.

[mhking]

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[cyborg]

80 miles per hour is absolutely necessary according to many who are on the CA freeways (and the street in front of my house I might add)

[babaloo999]

Life is not like a movie," Griff said.

No matter how hard the young 'uns try.....or the older ones, for that matter.
On a brighter note, I'm sure all of his friends will heed that warning and take it to heart, for about two days.

[Looking for Diogenes]

(I didn't know a CRX could go that fast!)

I've done 135 mph in my factory CRX. They are favorites with the street racers, who make lots of performance mods.

[rebel_yell2]

2Fast2Furious 1 and 2 have glorified this type of street racing without "consequences". No one dies in the movies, but try these stunts in the real world and young people die. Why aren't the producers of these movies indicted?

[Gunslingr3]

Why aren't the producers of these movies indicted?

Because that would be dumb. People are responsible for their own actions.

[GOP_1900AD]

Of course, out here in Kali, where the rice burners rule the streets, it usually only *sounds* like they are going that fast! Amazing how many RPMs someone can get up to in 1st gear, going 45! ;)

[lurkst]

Go, Riceboy, go!

http://www.riceboypage.com/

[HardStarboard]

>>>Because that would be dumb. People are responsible for their own actions.<<<

These guys seem to think a Darwin Award is the equivalent of an Oscar.

[Lucky Lyn]

"On a street, there's really no need for a car that generates that kind of horsepower," Minch said

What a laugh! Back in the 60's is when there was horsepower on the street! Not a rice-burning lawn-mower!

[The KG9 Kid]

"... "On a street, there's really no need for a car that generates that kind of horsepower," Minch said."

Um, if this cop thinks a Honda Civic has too many ponies, he sure ain't gonna like my stroker big block Chevy.

[KOZ.]

exactly.
but since then yuppies have gone around and closed down the racetracks....not true apperantly in this case....but if you close down the racetracks people cant race safely. so they kill themselves. just some thoughts.

[stboz]

Fresno is just full of these kinds of idiots.

[Hank Rearden]

"Urban" Culture is Moron Culture. Dumbass lowlife people in silly lowlife cars, with ridiculous lowlife "music".

[SassNClass]

Good riddance to the idiot. Driving is a privilige, not a right!

[KingNo155]

The car was too fast for his slow thinking mind!

[Joe Hadenuf]

80 miles per hour is absolutely necessary according to many who are on the CA freeways (and the street in front of my house I might add)

California freeways are fine for that speed. This idiot was on a surface street. You don't do that kind of speed on surface streets. Glad he didn't take anyone with him.

[cyborg]

yes you're right... summertime over here where I live, it's motorcycles at all hours of the night (oil slicks are not that visible when one is going 120 mph).

[Nik Naym]

Driving is NOT a privilege! I PAY to use the roads, and I DO have a right to freedom of movement. I don't buy that "driving is a privilege" crap, and neither should any other freedom loving American.

Of course I don't have a right to drive in a manner that endangers others, but I sure as hell DO have a right to drive on the roads that _I_ pay for.

Nik