CINCINNATI — Cincinnati police are looking for the drivers who disrupted traffic in the middle of an intersection and interstate over the weekend.
In at least two different places, drivers shut down travel on Saturday while doing donuts and burnouts in the middle of the road. Tire marks are still visible in the Lytle Tunnel on I-71 after drivers brought traffic to a halt around 10 p.m. for 10 minutes as they burned rubber.
Traffic on I-71 is stopped heading into the I-71 tunnel as cars continue to do burnouts and donuts in the entrance. Most of the people are wearing face masks and licenses plates have been covered. #WCPO @wcpo pic.twitter.com/53MBvEUn3Y
— Brandon Spinner WCPO (@wxSpinner89) October 1, 2023
Earlier in the evening, witnesses say hundreds of people watched three cars do the same thing in Camp Washington at the intersection of Colerain Avenue and Hopple Street.
Some people were literally hanging out of the vehicles as they swung around the intersection repeatedly, according to video of the moment. Fireworks crackled overhead.
Video shows the cars do not have license plates on them.
“It must have been some sort of set-up or something. People aren’t usually like that around here,” witness Dennis Geer said.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers said she feels both events were planned and circulated on social media.
"It's complete lawlessness, complete chaos. It's definitely an organized event and it's come to Hamilton County, and my message is to everyone out there that lives in Cincinnati and Hamilton County, wake up because this complete lawlessness, chaos is here," Powers said.
Workers at a business nearby told WCPO 9 it took approximately 15 minutes for police to arrive on the scene after they called 911.
Geer said as soon as police arrived, people scattered in every direction.
These types of events — called “street takeovers” or “hooning” — are popping up across the country.
Earlier this year, KNXV reported Tempe, Arizona, police were using aerial night vision equipment to track these incidents.
“If you’re part of this, stop,” said Tempe Police Department Officer Bryon Thomas. ”If you know someone’s that doing it, talk some sense into them and tell them to stop.”
In February, legislation was introduced in the Ohio statehouse that would increase the penalty for participating or spectating in street takeovers. The Ohio Legislature website shows the bill was referred to the Criminal Justice Committee.
Powers said anyone who they prosecute for these crimes could not only face traffic violations, but felony charges including inciting a riot and disrupting public services.
"This is almost to the point of, in my opinion, an aggravated riot, and anybody in that area would be concerned about their safety," Powers said. "I can't believe this happened here in Cincinnati. I can't believe this has come to Cincinnati. This office will do whatever in its power to make sure those people that are involved go behind bars."
Councilman Scotty Johnson said he agrees with Powers that anyone involved should be prosecuted with felony charges, calling the takeovers "extremely dangerous."
"To drive in the state of Ohio is a privilege," said Johnson. "If you abuse that privilege, then you need to be penalized to the highest extent of the law."
Cincinnati Police Lt. Jonathan Cunningham said there is an open investigation into the takeovers. In a statement, he said:
"We are absolutely aware that this occurred over the weekend and an investigation has been opened. The dangers associated with this type of recklessness and misuse of a motor vehicle could lead to significant injury or even death. Why would one think that it is OK to operate a motor vehicle in a manner that would risk their own life or the life of an innocent bystanders? Anyone who has any information regarding this matter is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040."
