Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced the sentencing of Jakari Barksdale and Emanuel Cervantez to seven years in prison each for their involvement in a fatal street racing incident. The crash, which occurred in May 2021, resulted in the death of a 32-year-old man.
The two individuals, who were 17 at the time, engaged in a high-speed race on South Avondale Boulevard near West Broadway Road, reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour. During the race, Barksdale’s BMW collided with a Ford F-150 turning at an intersection, splitting the truck and killing its driver instantly.
Investigations revealed that the street race was planned through text messages and recorded by witnesses. Video evidence confirmed that Barksdale’s BMW and Cervantez’s Dodge Charger were racing side by side when the collision occurred. Cervantez narrowly avoided crashing and fled the scene.
“This wasn’t a tragic accident—it was the direct result of reckless choices and a complete disregard for human life,” stated County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “This case is a stark reminder that street racing is not a game; it’s a crime with deadly consequences.”
Both Barksdale and Cervantez were tried as adults. Barksdale pleaded guilty to manslaughter, classified as a Class Two Felony, and aggravated assault, classified as a Class Three Felony. Cervantez pleaded guilty to manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatal accident, both classified as Class Two Felonies.
