SEATTLE — A large street race took over one of Seattle's busiest streets over the weekend.
Hundreds of people gathered at the intersection of Western Avenue and Elliott Way Saturday night to watch the dangerous show. Now, just two days later, tire marks from cars speeding up and down and doing donuts are still visible on the street.
Cell phone video circulating social media of Saturday’s takeover event says it all.
"I went to see the Northern Lights, and instead, I saw illegal street racing," said Teri Lee McClain.
McClain has been living in Seattle’s Lower Queen Anne neighborhood for 15 years. She's seen a lot over the years but said what she experienced on Saturday will leave a mark on her forever.
"Cause you see all the marks,” said McClain. “They were coming up this way. They were going across that way."
Seattle police said about 150 vehicles and 500 people took part in the takeover on Saturday at the busy intersection after 10:30 p.m. Video shows cars doing donuts in the middle of the road, putting on a show for the onlookers cheering it on. With some running to it to get a better look.
"Man, somebody could've gotten killed. That's crazy," said Isaac Ekin, the general manager of Queen Anne Beer Hall, located right next to the wild scene. "Before we knew it, the building was smoky, and we heard lots of sirens and people running around, and it got really chaotic,” said Ekin. “So it was scary, it was interesting. You don't really see that kind of thing around here."
Video also showed a car doing donuts around a police car. With bystanders rushing to the action and one man kicking the cruiser.
"I thought this was stupid, this was foolish,” said McClain. “It was a joke to them. Because they're out and the car is spinning. It was really sad to watch. That this is the neighborhood and it's just a joke to these people."
Police said the crowd dispersed once more police vehicles showed up. No arrests were made and no citations were issued. SPD said Saturday’s event is an open investigation. Police are mainly looking to find the drivers of the cars doing the donuts and the man who kicked the police car.
Police also said these street racing takeovers happen throughout the state. Last year, there were multiple street takeover events throughout the city, especially in West Seattle. As far as this year, SPD said they responded to one in Wallingford in April. SPD said no arrests or citations were made in that incident either.