Witnesses say Chan had run a red light when another car turned in front of him. Chan swerved to miss the car but lost control. He died on impact. Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to remove his body from the wreckage.
Officers say Chan and his cousin had gotten off from work when they started the impromptu street race just after 6 a.m. According to witnesses the two were racing at speeds over 100 mph.
Chan's cousin, 21-year-old Erin Mua, was arrested and is being held on vehicular manslaughter charges.
The family said they hope to raise enough money, in order to send Chan's body back to his home country, Samoa.
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