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DPS troopers bust multiple people accused of doing 'donuts' on Valley highways

Posted at 4:44 AM, Feb 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-20 21:10:12-05

The Department of Public Safety arrested nearly two dozen people while investigating drivers doing "donuts" on Valley freeways.

DPS says troopers and officers saw several large groups of street racers Sunday night at various locations in Phoenix.

Witnesses tell ABC15 that the (mostly) young men were performing these stunts on side streets in Phoenix, but lately have been taking it to Valley freeways.

Some of those involved in the racing Sunday night are believed to have been part of the recent freeway incidents in the Valley that have been recorded and posted on social media.

The stunts have happened at least twice just this month.

On Feb. 6, a viewer sent videos to ABC15 of several cars doing donuts on Interstate 10 near 75th Avenue.

Robert Llamas said he saw the incident unfold. 

"The freeway started coming to a halt," Llamas said. "I saw big clouds of smoke and I naturally saw it was a big accident."

Llamas said there were "low rider" trucks doing donuts in the middle of the freeway. 

"Their entourage just kind of slowed all the lanes up and that's when two trucks came forward and 'whoosh, whoosh, whoosh,'" Llamas said.

Llamas said it's extremely dangerous not only for them, but also other drivers on the road.

"I have a newborn and if that happened to me and I got into an accident — that's not right," Llamas said.

DPS officials said they were able to make contact with multiple trucks involved, but no additional information was released.

A week later, on Feb. 13, DPS was called to Loop 101 and Indian School Road in Glendale regarding a similar situation – however, this time it led to a minor crash.

Sixty-five traffic stops were made during the Sunday night street racing meetups, resulting in the arrest of 23 people on charges of racing, criminal speed and reckless driving. A total of 114 citations were issued. 

Stay with ABC15, abc15.com and ABC15 Mobile for updates.