LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- As the Louisville Metro Police Department continues to crack down on street racing, the consequences are severe for those who are caught.
The city has the authority to impound a vehicle used in street racing for six months and impose a $1,000 fine. But there’s a twist—instead of contesting the charge in court, drivers must plead their case before the Louisville Code Enforcement Board.
A recent case highlights how this crackdown works. A police dash camera recently captured two cars—a Chrysler Crossfire and a blue Dodge Charger—racing westbound on Interstate 264.
“The speed was confirmed at 120 miles an hour in a posted 55 mile-per-hour zone,” said LMPD Detective Kyle Willis.
Willis followed the two vehicles for miles, struggling to catch up despite driving nearly 100 mph.
“Because they are traveling over 100 miles an hour, the speed up in the corner is my speed. I’m going 99 miles an hour and still can’t catch up to the two vehicles,” Willis explained.
The chase ended with mixed results. When Willis activated his lights, the driver of the Chrysler Crossfire immediately pulled over, but the Dodge Charger sped away.
"I’m going to catch up closely to them here in a second,” Willis narrated in the dash cam footage. “The defendant vehicle is going 120 miles an hour, the vehicle in front of him is the blue Dodge Charger.”
The driver of the Chrysler Crossfire faced a tough decision: pay the fine and lose his car for six months, or argue his case before the Code Enforcement Board. The driver claimed he was not racing, but was forced into the fast lane by the Charger.
“This guy scared me. I know I was speeding. I was in the fast lane because it is usually the smoothest one, and this guy came up behind me and just barely came around me,” the driver testified.
The board was unconvinced, imposing the maximum fine and upholding the six-month impoundment.
The case serves as a stark warning for drivers tempted to race on Louisville streets: The city is watching, and penalties are steep.
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