Illegal street race kills woman and her three sons

A mother and her three young sons have been knocked over and killed during an illegal drag race, Philadelphia police have said. Relatives say 28-year-old Samara Banks and the boys were killed at around 10.30 on Tuesday evening as they crossed a 12-lane city road plagued by pedestrian deaths.

The children were just seven months, 23 months and four-years-old. Ms Banks’ five-year-old son, who was the sole survivor, suffered only bumps and bruises. Police have identified two men facing charges in connection to the fatal crash. Khusen Akhmedov, 23, and Ahmen Holloman, 30, were arrested on Wednesday evening. They face charges including homicide by vehicle, third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and other counts. Investigators believe they could well have been drag racing. The driver of the Audi stayed at the scene and consented to a blood test. But witnesses say the car was going extremely fast, giving the victims little time to react.