Crime
VIDEO: Austin police respond to several street racing incidents across the city
Videos shared on social media show groups of hundreds of people blocking several of the city’s intersections and cars doing donuts, racing through the streets, and throwing fireworks at police
February 20, 2023 8:01am
Updated: February 20, 2023 9:44am
The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating several street racing incidents that took place all over the city on Saturday night, resulting in one officer hurt and several damaged vehicles.
Videos shared on social media show groups of hundreds of people blocking several of the city’s intersections and cars doing donuts, racing through the streets, and throwing fireworks at police.
Some of the intersections blocked include Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road, Mueller Boulevard and 51st Street, and Howard Lane in North Austin, according to Fox 7 Austin.
Chaos at Barton Springs and Lamar in #Austin. Rioters after a bunch of drifting push back police and throw fireworks at them @KXAN_News pic.twitter.com/FVMlK2S3eH
— Aaron Crews (@aaroncrews) February 19, 2023
In Austin now: people setting off fireworks, blocking off the street, doing donuts, like 500 people, cops can’t get close (Lamar and Barton Springs Rd)
— Ben Tiggelaar 🟠 (@bentigg) February 19, 2023
Is this a promotional event of some kind you’re sponsoring @girdley ? pic.twitter.com/DfNxmDxQl6
Hundreds of people flew in from different parts of the country to participate in the large, coordinated event known as the Lonestar Show.
"We want to be known; we want to be documented. We want to be the next Fast and Furious," Jose Gonzales, an eventgoer, told Fox 7.
Austin police said that the event, which continued past 1:30 a.m., posed significant risks and dangers to the general public.
A Travis County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said that one officer was hurt during the street takeover and several vehicles were damaged, including several police cars.
"We didn’t have no intentions of hurting nobody. You know, that’s our fault. We’re sorry to the police officer that got hurt, but man, he should have stayed in his own lane," Gonzales said.
"APD is committed to stopping this conduct," the police department said. "Lawbreaking in this manner will result in enforcement and arrest. Our community's safety is the #1 priority for APD."
It is unclear how many individuals have been arrested for the charges they could face.
