SAD NEWS : 19-year-old motocross star Haiden Deegan was arrested in Florida for street racing and stunt driving. Deegan, who has been racing professionally since 2022,

Drag racing, an illegal and dangerous activity, continues to pose significant challenges for law enforcement agencies worldwide. Recent incidents underscore the severity of this issue and the concerted efforts by authorities to curb such reckless behavior.

Motocross Star Arrested for Street Racing

On March 21, 2025, 19-year-old motocross star Haiden Deegan was arrested in Florida for street racing and stunt driving. Deegan, who has been racing professionally since 2022, shared his mugshot and booking record on Instagram, revealing he was released after posting a $1,000 bond. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest and stated that Deegan’s car would be impounded for 30 days. Despite this legal issue, Deegan remains an accomplished racer, having earned titles such as the 2023 AMA 250SX Rookie of the Year. He is currently leading the Monster Energy 250 West championship and is scheduled to race in the 250SX West Division in Seattle on March 29. 

High-Speed Drag Racing in Tennessee

In Memphis, Tennessee, 26-year-old Keith Dennis was charged with drag racing—a felony—along with reckless driving, speeding, and driving with an expired vehicle registration. On March 23, 2025, a state trooper observed Dennis and another vehicle accelerating to high speeds on Interstate 240 near Poplar Avenue. While the other vehicle slowed down, Dennis continued at speeds exceeding 120 mph before being pulled over. 

Teen Arrested for Reckless Driving in Indiana

In Fort Wayne, Indiana, 19-year-old Jackson James Bertels was arrested on March 24, 2025, for suspected street racing. A state trooper observed two vehicles traveling at high speeds and initiated a pursuit. Bertels was apprehended near Coldwater Crossing Shopping Center and charged with resisting law enforcement and reckless driving. His vehicle was also impounded. 

Drag Racing Arrests in New York

Two motorists, Evan Hacker and Randy Lopez, were arrested for drag racing at night with their headlights off on the Long Island Expressway, reaching speeds of 109 mph near exit 68 in Shirley. They are charged with unlawful speed contest and reckless driving, and their vehicles have been impounded. This incident occurred just weeks after Suffolk County cop Brendon Gallagher was critically injured in a high-speed chase in Brentwood. 

Street Racing Crackdown in Atlanta

In Atlanta, Georgia, three drivers—Valerian Agbaw-Ebai, Markus Patterson, and Dwayne Young—were arrested on February 23, 2025, for street racing-related charges. Officers responded to reports of street racers gathering in a large parking lot on Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. With assistance from the Georgia State Patrol, the drivers were identified and apprehended. Police noted that the drivers’ tires still had tread residue from laying drag in the intersection. 

Reckless Driving Incident in Nashville

In Nashville, Tennessee, 19-year-old Brayden Hoffman was arrested after being observed drag racing on Interstate 40. Hoffman avoided a traffic stop and was later apprehended on Murfreesboro Pike. During the pursuit, he reached speeds over 120 mph and passed vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway. A small amount of marijuana and a pipe were found in his car. 

Viral Drag Race Leads to Arrests in Virginia

In Tysons, Virginia, a video of a drag race on Leesburg Pike went viral, leading to the arrest of two drivers. The Fairfax County police located and arrested the individuals involved after the video showed a Tesla Cybertruck and a Lamborghini illegally racing near Westwood Center Drive. 

Memphis Police Arrest Drag Racer

In Memphis, Tennessee, 19-year-old Jamarius Washington was arrested on November 7, 2024, after a police lieutenant witnessed him performing dangerous stunts on the road. Washington was charged with drag racing, evading arrest, and reckless driving. His vehicle, a black Dodge Challenger, was impounded. 

Philadelphia Car Meet-Up Ends with Arrests

In Philadelphia, a car meet-up and drag racing event resulted in multiple arrests and damaged patrol vehicles. A 33-year-old driver, David Wyche of West Norriton, Pennsylvania, was arrested for reckless driving charges after being found drag racing. Four 17-year-old males found inside his car were also issued citations. Additionally, a patrol vehicle was damaged when an unknown person threw a bottle, hitting the hood and cracking the windshield. 

Legal Actions Following Fatal Street Race in New Haven

In New Haven, Connecticut, four women are suing the city and property owners for injuries sustained during a 2022 fatal street racing incident on Sargent Drive. The incident resulted in five cars colliding and the death of Carlos Gonzalez. The plaintiffs argue that the city and property owners were negligent by failing to implement sufficient traffic-calming measures despite being aware of the area’s history of illegal street racing. Two drivers involved, David Takdharie and Emily Murphy, face manslaughter charges and will go on trial in early 2025. 

Severe Charges for High-Speed Offender in Melbourne

In Melbourne, Australia, 20-year-old Sushant Mittal faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 8, 2024, confronting 114 dangerous driving charges, including speeding at 262 km/h on the Monash Freeway. The case involves multiple major Melbourne roadways and highlights incidents such as driving at 184 km/h in August 2022 and various extreme, dangerous acts