Race On I-595 Leads To Death Of Davie Woman

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DAVIE (CBSMiami) - A Davie woman died as the result of two cars racing on I-595.

Just before midnight Julie Michelle Castor, 18, was heading westbound on I-595 when a car swerved in front of her. Witnesses said that car and another appeared to be drag racing down the highway, swerving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed.

Castor lost control. Her Toyota Corolla veered left and hit the concrete barrier. On impact, the car bounced across the westbound lanes and came to rest straddle the outside lane and emergency lane.

Officials said Castor was able to get out of her car with the help of a good Samaritan--but minutes later tragedy struck.

"The victim exited her vehicle with the assistance of a witness who had stopped. When the witness went to call 911 , the victim attempted to re-enter her vehicle through the open driver's door and while she was standing in the road she was struck by another vehicle," said Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Richard Glass.

That driver, 28-year old Nichole Custer, stayed on the scene and waited for the FHP.

Daniel Dodsworth, a neighbor of Castor and her family, said it was "shocking to hear the news."

"A beautiful girl, friendly," Dodsworth said of Castor.

CLICK HERE To Watch Lauren Pastrana's Report 

So what should you do if you are involved in a similar crash on the highway? According to FHP Sergeant Mark Wysocky you should first assess your situation.

"If your vehicle is on the shoulder and off the roadway, you can sit in the car. If you don't feel safe and you want to get out of the car you can get to the opposite side of the guard rail, or a wall, or some other place of safety," Sgt. Wysocky told CBS4's Natalia Zea.

The key though, is that barrier between you and traffic. You're disabled vehicle is not a good option as a buffer if you're outside of it.

"You don't want to stand behind it, or directly in front of it, or directly behind it because if a car comes, it's going to hit you and then your car, or your car and then you."

Words of caution, as a community says goodbye to a young girl, and investigators search for the drag racing drivers whose actions led to her death.

Witnesses described the two cars that were racing as a Ford Mustang and a dark gray sports car. Anyone who may have been in the area between 11:45 p.m. and midnight and knows something about the cars is urged to call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.