More information has been released regarding the fatal crash that killed two people on Erie Boulevard.

Police say 22-year-old Tawakal Rashid and 14-year-old Musbah Hassan were drag racing beforehand.

"It's nearly three times the posted speed limit of thirty miles per hour. So it's nearly 90 miles-per-hour, minimum at this point," said Sergeant Jason Sands.

The high speeds are no stranger to drag racing. 

"It's been many years, it's something that the people enjoy doing," said local neighbor Cynthia Ellison.

But this time the race cost two young people their lives. Unfortunately, the tragedy is nothing new for Syracuse Police.

The department has been trying to take control of the problem for a while now. "It's a massive concern. Even prior to this fatality, we've been staffing details to try and get a handle on the reckless driving in the area of Erie Boulevard East. Specifically by Midler, we get a lot of people, a lot of spectators that hang out in the parking lot there," said Sands.

Some believe this kind of racing actually helps keep young men off the streets. "Taking the whole thing away? To make some rules and regulations and still let the kids hang out and have fun. Maybe looking at each other's bikes, having fun. But the racing, as you said losing two people, that's really, really sad and I had no clue," said Ellison.

In the wake of that tragedy police are increasing their presence, especially with the Syracuse Nationals rolling into town this weekend.