18 arrested, 27 cited in illegal car race on 105 Freeway

An illegal car race that caused the temporary shutdown of the 105 Freeway on Saturday led to 18 arrests, authorities said Monday.

A SigAlert was issued about 3:30 a.m. after participants in the illegal race used vehicles to block the eastbound 105 from Crenshaw Boulevard to Vermont Avenue and intimidate other drivers, said Officer Dion Conley of the California Highway Patrol.

Law enforcement officers and deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, CHP and Los Angeles Police Department responded to the area and arrested drivers and participants.

Officials said they were taken into custody on suspicion of evading arrest, narcotics violations, driving under the influence and possessing stolen firearms and vehicles.

Law enforcement officials issued 27 citations and impounded 26 vehicles.

No one was injured in the incident, and the freeway was reopened about 4:48 a.m.

Authorities say they are looking for any other participants in the illegal car race.

Investigators are trying to determine how many people participated in the race, which included “random acts of violence” toward other drivers not involved in the incident, he said.

Conley said investigators are looking into whether the race was an organized event – and if so, who was behind it.

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