Family of Pasadena Man Among Those Suing Burbank Over Alleged Street Racing Deaths

The family of Cerain Anthony Raekwon Baker, a 21-year-old Pasadena resident, is among those suing the City of Burbank over a fatal crash that occurred during an alleged street race in August 2021, according to court documents.

On Wednesday, Alhambra Superior Court Judge Joel L. Lofton ruled that the families of the three victims, including Baker’s, can proceed with their part of the case against the City.

Baker, along with Jaiden Kishon Johnson, 20, of Burbank, and Natalee Asal Moghaddam, 19, of Calabasas, were killed in the fiery three-vehicle collision on North Glenoaks Boulevard at Andover Drive on Aug. 3, 2021. The lawsuits, which were later consolidated into a single case that names multiple other defendants, name multiple other defendants in addition to the City of Burbank.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys argued that a dangerous condition existed at the intersection, including the traffic signal timing strategy, which the defense challenged, laying blame on the drivers allegedly engaged in the street race. However, Judge Lofton found “triable issues of fact” concerning whether the location’s physical characteristics, specifically the synchronized traffic lights creating an “all-green visual,” may have induced dangerous behavior such as street racing.

Evidence was also provided by the plaintiffs showing that the City had prior knowledge of recurring street racing incidents and speeding on the same stretch of road, as documented through a public service announcement about street racing, according to Lofton’s ruling.

The victims were in a silver Volkswagen Jetta that was “attempting to negotiate a left turn from southbound Glenoaks Boulevard to eastbound Andover Drive when the traffic collision occurred,” Burbank Police Sgt. Emil Brimway said shortly after the crash.

Johnson, who had recently moved to California to pursue his dreams of becoming a music producer, worked a full-time security job and spoke daily with his mother.

The suit states, “Unfortunately, this incident took Jaiden Johnson’s life, dreams, and goals away prematurely.”

The case may now proceed to trial.