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Seven Injured, Some Seriously, In Speed-Racing Crash

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A street race that approached speeds of 100 mph caused a two-car wreck that sent seven people to the hospital Friday night.

The Colorado State Patrol said a motorcycle and a Volvo were racing northbound on Federal Avenue when the car's driver lost control and smashed head-on into a Nissan in the southbound lanes at 54th Avenue.

Two passengers in the Nissan were ejected.

The victims' conditions ranged from minor to serious.

Two of the Nissan's occupants -- Rachel Neiman, 26, and Christopher Burrell, 31 -- suffered serious injuries, the CSP said. Denver Health Medical Center, where the victims were admitted, said Neiman's condition is fair.

Tess Slapper, 25, and Antonio McKay, 27, also in the Nissan, had moderate injuries, the CSP said. McKay was treated and released. Neiman and Slapper are from Denver; McKay is from Fort Carson.

Slapper's parents, who are in Arizona, told CBS4 their daughter may have internal injuries. Slapper and Neiman are roommates and doctoral students at Regis University, which is located near the accident scene. Slapper's parents said Neiman had broken both her legs.

One of the Volvo's passengers, Israel Reyes, 41, suffered serious injuries. The driver, David Felan, 28, had moderate injuries while another passenger, Pablo Morua, 27, had minor injuries. Another passenger ran from the scene before officers arrived. Felan is from Aurora; Reyes and Morua are from Denver.

Troopers said the motorcycle and the Volvo were going between 90 and 100 mph when the car's driver lost control. It's unclear how fast the Volvo was going when it struck the Nissan. The motorcycle continued northbound on Federal, troopers said. It hasn't been located.

"By the time we arrived on scene it was long gone," a CSP representative said.

The crash caused severe damage to both cars.

A woman who works near the accident said it's common to hear cars and bikes racing down this stretch of Federal.

"The saddest thing is that the innocent people are always the ones that get hurt the worst," Laurie Davidson said.

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