Police across the country are looking for ways to crack down on illegal drag racing.

Street races usually happen randomly between drivers on streets or interstates, but police say they can result in others joining in and blocking off intersections while racing, drifting, and doing donuts or other stunts. They can also put traffic on hold for hours, and the drivers can be dangerous to approach. 

Lili Trujillo is one of thousands suffering loss caused by illegal street racing and takeovers.

"Back in December of 2017, my daughter Valentina was killed due to a young man that was giving her a ride home and engaged in an impromptu street race" Trujillo said.

Wyatt Martin is the Houston Police Department Assistant Chief. He says these illegal street races are becoming more common. 

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"There is not a day that goes by, where it seems like you don’t hear about a young person being seriously hurt or even killed in one of these events" Martin said. 

Seven states report giving more than 50% more street racing violations in 2021 than in recent years.

Just two weeks ago, a street race in Austin, Texas included fireworks being aimed at police.

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The Harris Country District Attorney says it sparked change. 

"It got lawmakers attention who recently, in just sessions past voted to upgrade racing into a criminal offense" Kim Ogg said. 

Now, some states say they’re cracking down on this. Texas and California have formed street racing and takeover task forces that focus on seizing these vehicles. Florida now allows law enforcement to arrest and prosecute street racers for related videos posted online. New York, and Washington have also announced plans for noise identifying cameras and harsher punishment for street racers.

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"Everybody is doing something about it. And, I believe that everybody is going to start copying everybody else’s bills to save lives" Trujillo said.

For now, police are offering tips on what to do if you’re caught behind a street race or a takeover.

"The participants will violently confront other drivers who they feel are trying to interrupt their activities. Stay in your car, roll up the windows and lock the door, call 9-1-1 and let us know what’s going on" Martin said. 

Police say they want to encourage racers to have fun, legally. And hope the actions of illegal racers don't tarnish activities for legal car club members. 

A Canadian woman was found dead at a Mexican resort just one day after arriving with her boyfriend for vacation.

Kiara Agnew, 25, arrived in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, with her 26-year-old boyfriend Ryan Friesen at the Grand Sunset Princess Resort on March 2, and the woman was found dead one day later.

Local police said on Twitter that a man was taken into custody on March 3 after "a lifeless woman was found with possible marks of violence in a hotel located in the Xcalacoco neighbourhood."

The Global Affairs office of the Canadian government confirmed to the Toronto Star that Agnew died and Friesen was taken into custody.

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"Officials are providing consular assistance to the families and are in contact with local authorities," Global Affairs Spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod said. 

"No further information could be disclosed due to privacy considerations," she added.

The Quintana Roo prosecutors office said on Twitter that an investigation was opened into a "foreign person arrested for his probable participation" in the killing of a Canadian woman in a Riviera Maya hotel.

Agnew's aunt, Katlyn Levesque, told the Toronto star that her niece was looking forward to this trip for a while.

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"She has been counting down to this trip. It is shocking. We want to know what happened," Levesque said. "She was a beautiful, wonderful person inside and out. It’s unfair that she was robbed of her chance to experience life to the fullest."

Levesque said that the couple was together for a year and a half, adding that she warned her niece to be careful on the trip.

"The last thing I said to her was to be safe. You know, don’t wander around alone, be mindful of your surroundings. Then, I never heard from her," Levesque said.

Agnew's boyfriend played hockey for the Dawson Creek Canucks, while she was an employee at Lake View Credit Union's Sawson Creek branch.

"All at Lake View Credit Union are mourning the loss of our teammate and friend, Kiara Agnew. This is a devastating tragedy and loss for our community. We send our love and faith to all others who have been impacted," a Facebook post from Lake View Credit Union states.