Rush hour street race ends in 13 arrests

With speeds reaching upwards of 200 km/hr just as the Wednesday afternoon commute was beginning, it was a street race that ended with 13 arrests.

Police impounded Ferraris, Maserati's, Lamborghinis, Audis, Mercedes and Aston Martins from a number of men who were 20 and under and some had 'New Driver' decals on the back of the vehicles. Very few drivers held a class 5 license and one car had less than 200-km on the odometer.

The 13 cars were spotted driving erratically along Highway 99 in Surrey at about 3:30 p.m., leaving the Massey Tunnel southbound, and police received several 911 calls from concerned citizens who reported vehicles weaving in and out of traffic. Surrey RCMP were able to stop six of the thirteen vehicles as they exited the freeway into Surrey. The other seven vehicles were stopped a short distance away by White Rock RCMP, according to Cpl. Holly Marks.

"These drivers seemed to be looking for attention," said Marks. "Well, they definitely got the attention of police."

It is suspected that the procession of cars totalled about $2 million.

The drivers told Global News they were on their way for something to eat. Marks said witnesses told them the vehicles had traveled at speeds up to 200 km/h and on several occasions two vehicles would travel side-by-side and slow down to allow vehicles in advance of them to take off in a race.

The cars have been impounded for seven days, and each driver will be issued with a $196 violation ticket and a charge of driving without due consideration for others.

"There was a group of them that were getting together to celebrate one of their colleagues leaving the area and I guess this is the way they decided to celebrate was to track down to Highway 99 and start doing some irresponsible driving," said RCMP Sgt Bryon Massie.

Police are asking for anyone who witnessed this event, and who have not yet spoken to police to call their local police agency and provide contact details.