ATLANTA (AP) – Police say they arrested three men who were blocking the northbound lanes of I-85 in DeKalb County on Saturday so car enthusiasts could do burnouts and race on the interstate.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the arrests come as metro Atlanta police departments continue efforts to crack down on illegal street racing events that have become more prevalent since the start of the pandemic.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, troopers responded to I-85 just before 2 a.m. after receiving information that street racers were blocking several lanes near the I-285 interchange so other vehicles could “lay drag.”
GSP spokeswoman Lt. Stephanie Stallings says a crash was caused by the vehicles blocking the interstate.
No injuries were reported in the wreck, but troopers said the black pickup truck leaving the scene matched the description of a vehicle that was used as a “spotter” for some of the racers who gathered on the interstate. Authorities stopped the truck about a mile away and arrested three people inside, Stallings said. Police said they believe the driver was the organizer of the race.