Roadshow: About 2,500 Bay Area motorists ticketed for speed racing

December 2008: Keith Strom, 44, died instantly after 25-year-old Enrico Massagli, III sped up from behind and lost control of his Pontiac GTO attempting to pass Strom after a passing lane had ended, over a solid double yellow, going 85mph in a 55mph zone on CA Hwy. 70. Massagli struck Strom's vehicle forcing Strom out of control and off the road to slam into a tree. Massagli after initially pleading not guilty, pled "No Contest" to misdemeanor Vehicular Manslaughter charges and was ordered to only 60 days in Butte County Jail, which was postponed until he returns from deployment sometime in March 2010 (or later). Massagli is a self-professed member of the 165 mph club on GTOforum, states his hobbies as "speeding", "loves to mess with Mustangs and stomp on ricers". He has been promoted from Sr. Airman to Sgt. at Beale Airforce Base since causing the death of TSgt. Keith K. Strom. Keith Strom served the Airforce for 20 yrs. and was set to retire May 1, 2009.

Not much of an incentive to stop the illegal street racing that goes on in Butte County. Report these drivers by calling 911 at any opportunity. The life you save may be that of one of your loved ones or even yourself.

I am not going to debate the historical accuracy of what was presented, but note what was not.

I would ask the reader to consider that Seargent Strom was driving in excess of 20 MPH over the posted speed limit.(55 MPH) Same road, same rain. Same chance to slow down.

In California that puts him in the same level of wreckless driving as Seargent Massagli.

In California you can't cite a dead man. Therefore Seargent Stroms own culpability seems to get ignored.

Seargent Massagli made a flat stupid young man's misteak, of one second that will haunt him for life.

He did not set out from his home that morning with racing on his mind. He was going to work. Period. How do I know? Simple, I have been there.

the garbage he put on the internet about his daring do with his GTO was (as they say in the Air Force) "Hangar Flying". Bravado, testosterone in print. Bull Pucky. If not, present physical evedence to the contrary.

Young man, big mouth. Still not a fellony in and of itself.

This stupidity will probably cost him his career in the Air Force. How do I know ? That end is already in process.

Until someone presents evidence that Seargent Strom was an innocent bystander, the "information" presented in the original comments can be reduced to a retorical call for a lynch mob.

Someone is seeking vengence, not justice.