Fights, Arrests, Hit-And-Run Crash Unfold As Thousands Take To South Jersey For Unapproved Car Meets

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ — Two people were charged after tens of thousands of people descended upon Gloucester County in March during two unsanctioned events, police said.

On March 14, Washington Township Police responded to the Kohl's shopping center parking lot for reports of loud music, revving engines, racing, and a car meet that was taking place.

Officers were met with a large unsanctioned event that took over the parking lot during normal business hours without any permits or authorizations.

The event was marketed on social media as "South Jersey MEGA MEET 2026 Season Opener."

"What was promoted as the 'season opener' has now become the season closer in Washington Township," police said on social media.

Alexis Palacias, 19, of Lindenwold, was charged with disorderly conduct and municipal ordinance violations for breach of peace and for hosting a large gathering without a permit.

Detectives are continuing to view surveillance footage from local lots and social media to determine if any others should also be charged.

As a result of the event, a hit-and-run crash also occurred along Greentree Road.

Authorities learned that another meet was planned for the first weekend in April at the parking lot shared by "Floor & Decor" and "LA Fitness."

Bridgeport "Import Expo"

On March 29 at around 11 a.m., Logan Township Police responded to Bridgeport Motorsports Park for reports of speeding, people riding on top of moving vehicles, passing other vehicles unsafely, and racing.

Authorities learned that an unpermitted event called "Import Expo" was going on at the Motorsports Park with no advance notice or approval from Logan Township officials.

An estimated 25,000 people flowed into the area and exceeded capacity from as far away as Massachusetts and Virginia.

People parked wherever they wanted, police added, and began walking to the venue.

Mutual aid was requested from agencies across the region to deal with traffic and crowd control.

Along with the motor vehicle violations, public intoxication and urination was reported.

Disorderly conduct, littering, lewdness, and multiple fights also allegedly broke out.

An emergency alert was sent out to people in the area that advised the group to leave the premises. That order was lifted at around 6:45 p.m.

A man was taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct before being released pending a date in Logan Township Municipal Court.

Authorities also said they will file multiple municipal ordinance violations against others involved.

"What this 'car meet' did today at my local track and surrounding area is absolutely disgusting," Matt Hawk said on Facebook, calling the eventgoers "a bunch of low lifes that keep getting kicked out of areas because they don't respect a single person, property, or the law."

Hawk also shared a photo of the aftermath left at a portion of the track.

Staff at the speedway took to social media the next morning and apologized to its guests and the neighborhood.

The track cited traffic flow into the surrounding community as the major reason so many issues were caused.

"This post is to APOLOGIZE and promise we will be better at what we do because of this. I want to thank everyone at Logan Township for their help with this matter. They were great," the message concluded.

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