SEATTLE — As street racing and related activities have increased across the region, police agencies across Puget Sound banded together to identify and arrest suspected racers.
Early this year, agencies in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties coordinated to investigate street racing and street and freeway takeovers with support from local and county prosecutors.
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Starting in early March, investigators collaborated to identify and arrest 29 suspects. More than 220 charges were forwarded to prosecutors against those arrested.
The charges range from reckless driving, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and malicious mischief to vehicular assault. Those charged include not only suspected racers but suspected organizers and spectators who contribute to street racing events.
Washington State Patrol troopers said the problem is not new and is a trend seen in many large cities that’s resulted in people being killed or seriously hurt, including bystanders.
“While sometimes glamorized, reckless racing and drifting outside appropriate venues is extraordinarily dangerous. Recently, several people in our county have been severely injured, and one has died, as a result of these illegal street-racing activities,” King County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Stephen A. Herschkowitz said.
The state patrol said the joint effort will continue as long as the reckless and irresponsible behavior continues to be a danger to the public.