Two subjects turned themselves in today to Burbank Police around 1 p.m. today after they were each charged with three counts of murder and one count of reckless driving.
In a release today by Sgt. Emil Brimway of the Burbank Police Department said, “After gathering significant evidence, Burbank Police Detectives presented this case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (LADA). After review of the case, the LADA charged the driver of the gray Kia, Hamlet Arseni Aghajanyan, with three counts of murder and one count of reckless driving.”
The accident occurred at Glenoaks and Andover on Tuesday, August 3 around 11:50 pm when two vehicles (a Kia and a Mercedes) traveling northbound on Glenoaks struck another car in what police say appeared to be street racing. Four victims were traveling in a Volkswagen that was struck by the Kia.
Cerain Anthony Raekwon Baker, Jaiden Kishon Johnson, and Natalee Asal Moghaddam all died at the scene. Firefighters, using the jaws of life, were able to free the driver and transported that person to a local trauma center. No update has been given on the driver’s condition.
Aghajanyan, a 19-year-old resident of Burbank, who was allegedly driving the Kia, is being held in lieu of $6,000,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on August 23, 2021.
Burbank police identified the driver of the Mercedes that was also involved as a 17-year-old minor and is also in custody. Brimway says the minor is being detained at a juvenile detention facility on three counts of murder and one count of reckless driving, pending review of the case by the LADA (Eastlake Juvenile Courthouse). It was not released if he was a Burbank resident.
Police did not say anything about or identify the passenger in the Mercedes of if he would face any charges. At the time, police said two occupants of the Mercedes Benz remained at the scene and both were interviewed by investigators and were released at the scene.
Brimway also emphasized in the release, “The Burbank Police Department reminds all community members that such reckless acts will not be tolerated. The Burbank Police Department will continue to aggressively enforce traffic laws, including reckless driving, racing, and unsafe speed. The Department will also continue to conduct and participate in educational campaigns to deter such reckless driving behaviors.”
The collision remains under investigation by Burbank Police Department Detectives. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has any information is asked to contact the Burbank Police Department Investigation Division at (818) 238-3210.
Does the D.A. expect to prove murder or are they overcharging so they can let them off, as has often happened-eg. George Zimmerman? You get a case like this and make the PR move (a big charge) , but how could they say this was pre meditated? The D.A. could win vehicular manslaughter easily. Maybe even 3rd degree. Let’s charge them right and get convictions. Burbank residents are watching.
At this moment, I presume the accused individuals to be innocent.
If the accused are proven guilty in a court of law, JUSTICE REQUIRES the full measure of punishment for the thoughtless, selfish and preventable acts of causing three human beings to lose their lives.
The victims, their family’s, and our community cry for it.
You can presume all you want, but they investigated what happened via the cameras. It shows the guilty parties MURDERING three innocent young people. I personally knew Natalee and my heart is breaking for her, her family and friends. It’s all fun and games until someone gets killed. STOP street racing NOW! What is wrong with you young people?!!!!!!!
This is one of the saddest street racing incident. I was hoping that all the surviving members involved in this Glenoaks Blvd street racing were left without hands and legs so they can remember their stupidity that take 3 beautiful lives.
Same thing will happen on Kenneth Road if BPD doesn’t increase enforcement.
Three Innocent lives lost. Beautiful people who had a presence here on this earth, they had friends and family who loved them and they were taken in an instant. Too harsh to even believe and yet it is real.
Their families are shattered beyond words and their future is not to be. How do we create justice in the face of this? How can these two boys repent or repay for the damage that this tragedy has caused? One can only hope that they dedicate their lives to the three they took, in some way. That every moment and every move they make for the rest of their lives is dedicated to acting and being in reverence with what they did. It is up to the courts now and up to us to stop illegal street racing.
I write this in honor of Natalee who was one of the brightest stars ever. The world simply will not be the same without her and may the most beautiful uplifting soul rest in peace with her friends.
Terri R
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