Multi-County Street Racing Operation Leads To 220+ Charges In WA

SEATTLE — A multiagency street racing operation in Puget Sound led to more than 220 criminal charges filed against 29 people, according to Washington State Patrol. In a news release Friday, WSP said the recent crackdown was in response to increasing illegal street races and "street/freeway takeover activities" in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

"This problem is not new, nor is it unique to our region," wrote Trooper Chase Van Cleave, a WSP spokesperson. "In fact, this is a trend seen in many large cities across the country. But with it has come repeated instances of [these] reckless and irresponsible behaviors leading to serious injuries of those involved in the racing activities and the bystanders watching alike."

Van Cleave said the operation started in early March, with assistance from the Tacoma and Kent police departments and the Washington State Fusion Center. Since then, investigators have arrested several suspected racers, organizers and spectators.

"This regional problem exceeds the ability of any single law enforcement agency to address it alone," said Captain Ron Meade, WSP's commander of field operations for King County. "By working together, we hope to bring these unsafe and illegal behaviors that pose significant risks to those involved, bystanders, and uninvolved motorists to an end."

Stephen Herschkowitz, a senior deputy prosecuting attorney for King County, said recent races have led to serious injuries and even death.

"While sometimes glamorized, reckless racing and drifting outside appropriate venues is extraordinarily dangerous," Herschkowitz said. "Recently, several people in our county have been severely injured, and one has died, as a result of these illegal street-racing activities.

According to WSP, the criminal charges include reckless driving, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, malicious mischief and vehicular assault.