Jose Ambrocio Medina Soto, 59, Killed in Mother’s Day Street Racing Crash; Sharonda Clark, 47, Surrenders as Second Suspect in High-Speed Incident That Shattered Camden Community
Jose Ambrocio Medina Soto, 59, Killed in Mother’s Day Street Racing Crash; Sharonda Clark, 47, Surrenders as Second Suspect in High-Speed Incident That Shattered Camden Community
CAMDEN, NJ — A Mother’s Day tragedy that claimed the life of Jose Ambrocio Medina Soto, a 59-year-old father and beloved community member, has taken a significant turn after Sharonda Clark, 47, turned herself in to law enforcement on Wednesday. Authorities have confirmed Clark’s involvement as the second suspect in a fatal illegal street race that left Soto dead and his family irreparably changed.
The crash occurred on Sunday, May 12, in Camden, New Jersey, during what police are calling a “reckless and unlawful” high-speed street race between two vehicles on Mount Ephraim Avenue—a densely trafficked corridor often filled with pedestrians and local residents. Soto, who was driving home after visiting family for Mother’s Day, was an uninvolved, law-abiding motorist caught in the path of the chaos. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Fatal Collision: A Timeline of Recklessness
According to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, the incident unfolded at approximately 4:07 p.m., when two vehicles—a red Dodge Charger and a black BMW—were observed speeding side-by-side down Mount Ephraim Avenue near Ferry Avenue. Witnesses reported that both vehicles were weaving in and out of traffic at dangerously high speeds, ignoring traffic signals and placing surrounding drivers and pedestrians at severe risk.
One of the racing vehicles—a black BMW driven by 29-year-old Barry Green, who surrendered earlier in the week—lost control and collided with Jose Ambrocio Medina Soto’s white Toyota Corolla. The impact was catastrophic. Video surveillance and dashcam footage captured the violent moment of collision, and first responders arrived within minutes. Despite their efforts, Soto was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigators say Sharonda Clark was operating the red Dodge Charger that was racing Green’s BMW. While Clark’s vehicle did not strike Soto directly, prosecutors have emphasized that her participation in the illegal race contributed materially to the chain of events that led to Soto’s death.
The Victim: Remembering Jose Ambrocio Medina Soto
Jose Ambrocio Medina Soto was a husband, father of three, and grandfather of two. Originally from Mexico, he immigrated to New Jersey in the early 1990s and worked for over two decades at a local produce warehouse. Known to neighbors as a kind and humble man, Soto was deeply involved in his church and community.
“This is someone who lived by example. He worked hard, he loved his family, and he never caused harm to anyone,” said Father Miguel Romero of St. Anthony’s Parish, where Soto was an usher. “His death was cruel, senseless, and avoidable.”
His daughter, Elena Medina, spoke through tears at a candlelight vigil held the night after the crash:
“He was coming home from dropping flowers at my grandmother’s grave. He died on Mother’s Day doing something out of love. Now, every Mother’s Day will be a day of mourning for us.”
The impact of his death rippled across the neighborhood, leading to calls for greater enforcement against illegal street racing and for improvements to traffic safety infrastructure along Mount Ephraim Avenue.
The Investigation: A Race to Justice
Camden County authorities launched an aggressive investigation almost immediately following the crash. Surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and forensic analysis quickly identified the vehicles involved. Within days, Barry Green was arrested and charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, death by auto, and reckless driving.
Sharonda Clark remained at large until Wednesday, May 22, when she surrendered to Camden County police and was formally charged. Prosecutors have charged her with second-degree vehicular homicide, participation in an illegal street race, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash. Clark is currently being held at Camden County Jail pending arraignment.
“Just because you didn’t strike the vehicle directly doesn’t mean you’re innocent,” said Camden County Prosecutor Grace Coughlin. “Street racing is not a sport—it is a crime, and it can be deadly. Everyone involved is culpable.”
A Pattern of Negligence: Street Racing Epidemic
The case has reignited public outrage about illegal street racing in New Jersey and surrounding metropolitan areas. In the last 12 months alone, Camden police have recorded over 200 complaints related to street racing, many occurring on long, open stretches of roadway like Mount Ephraim Avenue.
Officials say these races are often organized on social media platforms and involve high-performance vehicles, modified exhaust systems, and groups of spectators. The events often occur on weekends and holidays when road traffic is light and law enforcement presence is reduced.
“This isn’t just a teenage thrill-seeking problem anymore,” said Camden Police Chief Scott Thompson. “We’re seeing adults—working professionals, parents—engage in these dangerous, selfish stunts. And it’s innocent people like Mr. Soto who pay the ultimate price.”
Legal Consequences and Community Demands
Legal experts say both Clark and Green could face decades in prison if convicted. Under New Jersey law, first-degree aggravated manslaughter carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years, while second-degree vehicular homicide can result in up to 10 years in prison.
Camden residents are also demanding that city leaders act swiftly to implement changes that will help prevent similar tragedies. Suggestions include:
- Installing speed cameras along known racing corridors
- Increased weekend patrols in high-risk zones
- Stricter penalties for street racing, including automatic license suspension
- Speed bumps or raised crosswalks along residential segments of Mount Ephraim Avenue
City council members are scheduled to hold a public forum on traffic safety next week. Soto’s family is expected to speak at the hearing.
Funeral Arrangements and Family Support
A public viewing and memorial service for Jose Ambrocio Medina Soto will be held on Sunday, May 26, at St. Anthony’s Church, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family has established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral costs and legal fees, which as of Friday had already raised over $27,000.
Elena Medina, speaking on behalf of her family, said:
“We don’t want vengeance. We want accountability. We want this never to happen again to anyone else’s father or mother or child.”
Conclusion: A Day of Celebration Turned to Sorrow
What should have been a peaceful and joyous celebration of motherhood and family became a day of irreversible loss for the Medina Soto family. A life filled with purpose and love was taken in a moment of reckless thrill-seeking that never should have happened.
As the legal process unfolds, the city of Camden is left to mourn, to reflect, and—hopefully—to change. For now, all eyes are on the court, the council chambers, and the long, painful road to justice for Jose Ambrocio Medina Soto.
