Authorities emphasizing traffic safety after two men arrested in connection to street racing fatality in Northeast Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Authorities are highlighting safety on the roads after a deadly crash led to the arrests of two people tied to a deadly street racing crash.

Colorado Springs police said 48-year-old Jerome Archer and 18-year-old Leeanaya Martinez are facing charges. As of Friday afternoon, neither one is still in jail.

It comes after 77-year-old Deanna Stemler died in an alleged street racing crash on March 22.

It happened on Briargate Boulevard near Lexington Drive, in Northeast Colorado Springs.

Police say two cars were racing when one of them crossed into oncoming traffic, hitting Stemler’s SUV head-on.

Both drivers were rushed to the hospital, where Stemler later died.

Police say Archer turned himself in last week, and Martinez did the same on Monday.

Commander Pamela Castro with Colorado Springs Police said safe driving is a team effort.

“We are a city that relies on individual transportation, and that means every person driving has to make the determination that they are going to drive reasonably and respectfully for everybody,“ said Commander Castro. “This will be the reason why you speak up. Why you say that to your brother, your sister, your friend, to slow down, to drive more responsibly.”

Police say this crash is still under investigation, even with these two arrests.

They are asking you to call right away if you have any information that can help. Contact CSPD at 719-444-7000, or you can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 719-634-STOP (7867).