Sideshows have long been a problem for law enforcement; one in Prunedale turns deadly.

The glamour of flashy cars and high speeds in Fast & Furious don’t translate the same way in real life. A sideshow – or illegal street racing – can be exhilarating for some, but can also be dangerous. Sideshows can disrupt traffic; tricks can include having passengers hanging out of a vehicle or seated on the windows.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, a sideshow in Prunedale took a tragic turn; 18-year-old Adrian Puga was shot and later died at the hospital. Sheriff’s deputies continue looking for clues to find the killer, requesting videos and photos from people who were at the scene.

It is a misdemeanor to organize, participate in or watch illegal car racing, which may be an obstacle to gathering documentation from the event, although the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office reports they are receiving information. Sideshow participants can face fines of up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail, vehicle impoundment and driver’s license suspensions.

According to the Salinas Police Department, sideshows happen at least twice a month in the city, ranging from 50 to 200 cars, while California Highway Patrol has reported 233 incidents between Prunedale and Soledad since January.

Zachary Dunagan of Salinas PD says sideshows are more common in summer, and aren’t easy to track since they happen at different times and locations and are often over within an hour. “They’re quick, efficient – that’s what makes it the hardest [to enforce],” he says. Many happen in empty parking lots, where drivers race or do donuts.

Parking lots are also a popular place for local car clubs to gather; sideshows have affected their meet-ups because attendees get confused with the racers, says Victor Cervantes, president of Street Life Lowrider car club.

Illegal race gatherings have been a more prevalent issue in larger cities, prompting CHP last year to start a campaign called “Street Racing & Sideshows – Thrills That Kill” to educate the community about traffic safety. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several laws to aid crackdowns.