Mother of 5 And Lyft Driver Killed By Suspected Street Racer in Palmdale

A mother of 5, who took a Lyft ride to pick up items at a grocery store, was killed along with her driver by a suspected street racer.

The crash happened Wednesday morning around 12:30 a.m. in Palmdale California.

The victims were identified as Lesther Deleon, 37, and Spechelle Pope, 28.

According to authorities, a Dodge Challenger, allegedly involved in an illegal street race, hit their car from behind, causing it to spin out of control, slam into a light pole and burst into flames.

Jonathan Craig, an employee of a nearby 24-hour Denny’s restaurant, rushed to the scene of the crash and helped pull the rideshare driver out of the wreckage.

“I used an apron to pull him out, that’s how badly burned he was,” Craig said. “He passed away, I want to say, three minutes after me pulling him out of the fire. I told him to hang on, listen to my voice, the ambulance is coming, they’re on their way…He took his last breath.”

The Challenger was abandoned nearby. Craig witnessed the driver of the Challenger jump into an Infiniti that sped away.

The family of Pope organized a vigil.

Yolanda Pope-Walker, the victim’s aunt, also described Spechelle as a loving woman.

“She was a beautiful woman. She had five children, ages 6 months to 3 years old. She was very compassionate, loved people, didn’t mind helping, just a very special person. Her name [Spechelle], she carried well,” said Pope Walker.

Pope-Walker and other family members are urging the driver of the Challenger to come forward. The family said police told them the Challenger might be a rental, and police believe the driver got into another vehicle and fled the scene after the crash.

A Lyft spokesperson released the following statement: “We are heartbroken by this tragic incident and our hearts are with Lesther and Spechelle’s friends and family during this incredibly difficult time. We stand ready to assist law enforcement in any way we can.”

Security cameras from nearby caught the moment the cars collided.

Anyone with information about the crash or the driver of the Dodge Challenger is asked to call authorities.