CHP cites several, impounds three cars in weekend sideshows

Drivers allegedly involved in a series of sideshows last weekend in western Contra Costa County may be facing criminal charges now that the California Highway Patrol has filed complaints with the district attorney. Sunday, Aug. 11, the CHP got reports of vehicles doing doughnuts in the roadway at Franklin Canyon Road near McEwen Road, just south of state Highway 4 and west of Martinez.

Martinez police broke the show up and the CHP stopped a silver Ford Mustang that was allegedly participating, but they released the driver because of a lack of sufficient evidence for a citation.

Hours later, however, CHP aircraft spotted the same Mustang with a Mazda at a sideshow in Rodeo. Both vehicles got away when officers responded, but law enforcement was able to identify both drivers based on prior contacts.

A third sideshow was reported later that day on the Cummings Skyway between Crockett and Interstate Highway 80. Three drivers and several spectators were all detained at the scene.

All three vehicles were impounded and the people present were cited for either participating or aiding and abetting in a sideshow. The CHP says its aircraft can read license plates from several miles away. To prove it, the agency has uploaded video from the sideshows to the CHP – Contra Costa page on Facebook, available at https://bit.ly/31Zvb35.