Street Racers Guilty of Manslaughter for Fatal 2013 Crash
people running on the street

A jury has issued a guilty verdict for the two street racers who caused a fatal crash in Rancho Mirage in 2013. Wade Wheeler and Scott Bahls have been convicted of vehicular manslaughter, street racing and reckless driving. Bahls was also found guilty of hit-and-run for fleeing the scene.

The deadly crash happened on June 18, 2013, when Wheeler and Bahls were racing their BMWs from Cathedral City to Dunes View Road. Wheeler’s BMW crashed into a Ford Focus, killing the passenger, 81-year-old Barbara Schmitz, and seriously injuring her husband. According to the investigation, the drivers were racing at least 20 MPH over the speed limit when the crash occurred.

The street racers were also charged with second-degree murder, but the jury was deadlocked 10-2 in favor of a conviction. Deputy District Attorney Daniel Fox has preserved the right to pursue the murder conviction.

Wheeler and Bahls will be sentenced on November 8th. Bahls faces 12 years in prison while Wheeler is likely looking at 20-25 years, as he has a prior robbery conviction.

“Street racing can have serious consequences. In this case, the consequences were fatal. We believe the jury made the right decision in finding these individuals guilty,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

Recent Posts
Popular Tags

Walter Clark Legal Group

Walter Clark Legal Group
N/a
Skip to content