HARRIS COUNTY – More than 200 people were arrested on charges ranging from DWI to reckless driving during a countywide crackdown on illegal street racing this past weekend, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Thursday.
The arrests were the result of a joint initiative including the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Houston Police Department and other law-enforcement agencies.
Twelve vehicles were also seized.
“Fly-bys are being prosecuted. Street takeovers are being prosecuted. Street racing is being prosecuted. All of these crimes can land you behind bars because these actions can turn deadly,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said. “It’s wrong to put innocent people’s lives at risk just for an adrenaline rush. This initiative saved lives.”
The initiative focuses on arresting dangerous drivers to save lives on Houston’s roads and highways.
“Hundreds of peace officers, prosecutors and support staff spent all of Spring Break protecting our community from dangerous street racers,” said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. “Thanks to them, not one motorist lost their life because of a street racer. I personally thank each of them for keeping our streets safe and saving lives.”
In addition to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and HPD, the initiative also included the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office and Texas DPS.
The partnership also involved the Houston Raceway Park. Owner Seth Angel has urged car race fans to practice their hobby on legal racetracks, not on public roads.
This is the fourth year of the annual anti-illegal street racing program, which took place from March 17-21, 2021.
Prosecutors with the DA’s vehicular crimes division worked over 115 combined hours over the five-night event to assist law enforcement with charges, search warrants and evidence collection. There were 222 arrests.
Charges filed included:
Racing on a Highway: 56
Reckless Driving: 30
Obstruction of a Highway: 14
Deadly Conduct: 10
Evading Arrest: 12
Driving While Intoxicated: 53
Intoxication Assault: 1
Assault of a family member: 2
Child Endangerment: 1
Possession of a Controlled Substance: 14
Weapons charges: 18
Car Theft: 2
Theft: 2
Aggravated assault of Public Servant: 1
Interfering with a police officer: 3
Failure to Identify: 1