Police filed on Sunday murder charges against 21-year-old Henry Gevorgyan, who lost control of his grey Ford Mustang while engaged in illegal street racing and plowed into a crowd of 60 people in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, killing two people and injuring one onlooker.

ABC reports that Gevorgyan, an Armenian, surrendered to the LA police on Saturday evening.

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The Mustang was modified to race. The tire skids indicate that Gevorgyan stepped on the accelerator too quickly, which resulted in his losing control while changing gears.

LAPD detective Phil Bustos added, "Definitely this is illegal. The marks we see here are circular in motion, obviously they were doing an exhibition of speed and obviously that's a hazard for the public".

Reuters identified one of the victims as 26-year-old Eric Siguenza while the other pedestrian's identity was kept in deference to the request of the victim's relatives.

The injured victim was brought to a local hospital and is now in a stable condition.

The three were among the 60 who had gathered to watch the early morning race. The others had left when the police arrived at the accident scene.

LA Police Captain John McMahon points out that while street racing is often painted as glamorous entertainment, he stresses, "Here's a case where street racing is criminal, dangerous and unfortunately this morning we see it's deadly."

Police set a bail of US$2 million for Gevorgyan who does not have a lawyer. Authorities are also looking for a second suspect in the illegal street racing.

Investigators are also going over the surveillance videos of nearby buildings and business establishments to check if the hit-and-run incident is on video.

Tagsstreet racing, Murder, Los Angeles, Los Angeles