Austin, TX
Austin streets taken over by street-racing incidents, APD officer hurt
Austin streets taken over by street-racing incidents
Tons of of individuals got here from everywhere in the nation to take part on this facet present, or takeover.
AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Police Division is investigating a number of road racing incidents from Saturday evening the place one officer was damage, and several other automobiles have been broken.
Movies present automobiles doing donuts, folks throwing fireworks at cop automobiles, women hanging out the home windows, and other people on hearth.
A little bit after 9 p.m. Saturday evening, folks have been blocking intersections, one at Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Street, one other at Mueller Boulevard and 51st Road, and one other on Howard Lane in North Austin.
The cohost of this huge, coordinated occasion, the Lonestar Present, informed FOX 7 the aim was to have enjoyable. Tons of of individuals got here from everywhere in the nation to take part on this facet present, or takeover.
Road racing incident in Austin injures officer
A video posted on social media reveals folks blocking the intersection of Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Street and pushing a Austin police automobile again with fireworks. (Video Credit score: @aaroncrews on Twitter)
“We need to be recognized; we need to be documented. We need to be the subsequent Quick and Livid,” stated Jose Gonzales, a South Austin resident who was on the road racing occasion.
Lewis Guapo, a videographer who stated he simply occurred to cease by, stated lots of people have been having enjoyable, however some have been additionally involved.
“It’s harmful, and it may be harmful however like I stated, intersection, large, quite a lot of open area, everyone’s backed up, so it’s not likely harmful. When you begin getting into and doing issues that you just’re not imagined to do, it’s harmful,” Guapo stated.
READ MORE: Officer injured, police automobiles broken in road racing incidents: APD
Austin PD stated this conduct is reckless and poses vital dangers and risks to the general public.
The occasion went on till round 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Austin PD stated an officer was damage and several other automobiles have been broken. A Travis County Sheriff’s Workplace spokesperson stated two of their automobiles had their home windows busted out, rocks thrown at them, and so they needed to be towed.
“We didn’t don’t have any intentions of wounding no one. You already know, that’s our fault. We’re sorry to the police officer that received damage, however man, he ought to have stayed in his personal lane,” Gonzales stated.
The cohost of the occasion stated they don’t condone placing fingers on cop automobiles or setting off fireworks. He informed FOX 7 as taxpayers, they pay for the roads too, and that is how they select to make use of them.
Road racing incidents block Austin intersections
A video posted on social media reveals folks blocking the intersection of Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Street, doing donuts, setting off fireworks and waving inexperienced lasers. (Video Credit score: @aaroncrews on Twitter)
When requested if Gonzales was ever involved about getting in bother and even arrested, he stated, “They’ll’t catch us.”
Austin PD stated, “Lawbreaking on this method will end in enforcement and arrest.”
APD later said they arrested two folks for evading arrest and that additional prices could also be filed because the investigation continues.
FOX 7 additionally reached out to Mayor Kirk Watson for remark and have but to obtain a response.
The Austin Police Affiliation stated Austin policymakers “proceed to defund, destroy, and demoralize public security.”