Street race spectators set fire in road and attack innocent motorists, Florida cops say

A Florida street takeover turned terrifying when a “mob” lit a fire in the road and began attacking the vehicles of hemmed-in drivers, according to investigators.

Spectators were seen running through the smoke-filled intersection in the dark, throwing traffic cones, jumping up and down on hoods and attempting to stomp out windshields, video shows.

In one instance, an adult is heard telling attackers a baby is in a vehicle under attack.

The event happened Saturday, Nov. 30, just outside the 500-acre Ritz-Carlton Orlando complex in Orlando, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a Dec. 12 news release.

“A large group shut down the intersection of South John Young Parkway and Central Florida Parkway, set a fire in the roadway, and used the space for cars to do donuts around the flames,” the sheriff’s office said.

“The situation escalated as participants harassed innocent drivers, blocked them from passing, and in some cases, climbed on and damaged vehicles.”

One driver reported he began honking his horn at the intersection, and “dozens of people jumped on top of his vehicle and began to kick his vehicle windshield, causing it to break,” according to an affidavit.

Damage to his Tesla was estimated at $60,000, he reported.

Details of any injuries were not released.

Video shared on social media shows participating vehicles spinning in circles around the intersection, as some passengers hung out of windows.

Detectives have used the videos to pull incriminating images of 30 faces — mostly young males — and are asking the public to supply the identities of anyone they recognize.

“This reckless and violent behavior poses a serious danger to our community and we are committed to holding those responsible accountable,” the sheriff’s office said.

A “proactive initiative” to stop takeovers around Orlando was staged the first week of December, leading the Florida Highway Patrol to discover the crowds often shift from one takeover to another through the evening.

The operation resulted in 154 citations, including 132 handed out to spectators, the highway patrol said in a Dec. 9 news release. Multiple vehicles were seized, officials said.

Florida law prohibits participating in street racing events as a driver, passenger and spectator.

Drivers trapped by street takeovers are advised to:

• Remain calm
• Do not engage
• If possible, safely pull over to the side of the road
• Call 911

This story was originally published December 13, 2024 at 9:59 AM with the headline "Street race spectators set fire in road and attack innocent motorists, Florida cops say."