LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police Department is responding to multiple street racing incidents that occurred over the weekend.

What You Need To Know

  • Louisville Metro Police Department reports multiple street racing incidents happened over the weekend

  • The department has arrested four people and impounded two cars

  • In 2023, Louisville strengthened its street racing ordinance

  • Cars can be impounded up to a year after the incident happened, and the vehicles of those present but who were not racing can also have their car impounded

According to LMPD, early Sunday morning a large crowed gathered at the intersection of New Cut Road and Kenwood Drive, blocking traffic as drivers performed donuts.

Videos shared on social media show the scene before and after police arrived, including moments when people climbed onto an officer’s vehicle, forcing it to reverse away.

“We are not going to allow this to happen,” LMPD interim Chief Paul Humphrey said during a news conference on Tuesday. “We seized two vehicles on Sunday, made four lockups, including seizing four guns off the street.”

Humphrey emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with LMPD working to identify those present at the scene.

“If they think they got away, they need to think again,” he warned.

Brian E Smith posted a video online of the incident near Iroquois Park over the weekend. Since Sunday, its gotten nearly 400k views.

Smith told Spectrum News “I was afraid that someone was going to lose control and wipe out a whole corner full of people, or possibly end up in the seating area of one of our local restaurants.”

He added, “The police response was relatively quick, and they had the situation under control in 2-3 minutes. The crowd was definitely organized, as all lanes of traffic had been blocked by participating vehicles, not to mention the several other instances that happened Saturday night. The street racers have gotten very brazen, and it’s only a matter of time until someone is killed.”

The city strengthened its street racing ordinances in May 2023, allowing police to impound vehicles up to a year after incidents occur. The ordinance also extends penalties to spectators and others blocking streets during these illegal events.

“The law no longer applies just to the people that are participating in the dangerous activity. It’s all of the people around. So whether you do donuts or race, it doesn’t matter if you’re just standing there and watching, blocking the street. The law now allows us to seize all of those cars,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey noted these measures are proving effective, with incidents happening less frequently compared to previous years.

“We’ve seen the exact same cars show up in Cincinnati, in Indianapolis and other places so, they will be dealt with,” Humphrey said.

LMPD reported since the ordinance was updated, 63 vehicles have been impounded.