LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The day after 6 Information reported that the Sloan Onondaga Dragway was inviting avenue racers to race legally within the wake of a deadly crash in Lansing, a decide ordered it to shut indefinitely. Friday evening, drivers rallied on the south facet of town, calling for the observe to reopen—and police promptly shut it down.
Racers rally on the south facet of Lansing to protest the shuttering of the Onondaga Dragway (WLNS)
Racers rally on the south facet of Lansing to protest the shuttering of the Onondaga Dragway (WLNS)
A flyer made the rounds on social media earlier this week, calling the gathering the “Cedar St. Street Race,” an occasion to “raise awareness about the dangers of street racing and promote safer alternatives,” calling for the reopening of the Onondaga Dragway. The tagline? “Let’s bring racing back to the track!”
In late April, police say two vehicles racing one another down S Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. close to Pierce Rd. induced a five-vehicle crash that despatched 13 folks to the hospital, ultimately ensuing within the dying of a 15-year-old passenger who was inside one of many racing autos.
The crash induced widespread concern across the metropolis of Lansing from residents and metropolis officers alike, who’re presently looking for a option to crack down on unlawful avenue racing within the space. Willie Sloan, proprietor of the Sloan Onondaga Dragway, supplied his personal answer, inviting racers right down to the observe Wednesday, providing up an area for them to race legally.
Woody Sloan, 79, proprietor of the Sloan Onondaga Cragway. He is invited unlawful avenue racers to make use of his observe as a substitute for streets within the metropolis. (WLNS)
Thursday, the day after 6 Information spoke to Sloan, Ingham County Circuit Court docket Decide Rosemarie E. Aquilina ordered the observe to shut instantly—and indefinitely. That order was the results of a lawsuit filed by Onondaga Township resident Rebecca Lindsey, who claims the observe is a nuisance due to the quantity of noise and vibrations it causes. The decide agreed.
Round 75 vehicles and roughly 100 folks have been seen at Everett Plaza on the nook of Cedar St. and Cavanaugh St. at round 11 p.m. Friday, portray their autos and revving their engines. 6 Information on the scene reported that a number of police items have been noticed within the space close by even earlier than the occasion was set to start.
The Lansing Police Division informed 6 Information earlier Friday they have been conscious of the occasion and deliberate to extend patrols later that evening to crack down on potential reckless driving.
6 Information on the scene noticed Metropolis Council President Ryan Kost on the occasion, in addition to Farhan Shiekh-Omar, one of many metropolis’s police commissioners.
At round 11:40 p.m., 6 Information on the scene reported that the Lansing Police Division had arrived and have been breaking apart the occasion. A police drone flying overhead performed an announcement from a speaker ordering the attendees to clear the lot.
Police informed 6 Information that it was being cleared out for noise issues on account of revving engines.
After that, 6 Information watched because the police items at Everett Plaza sped out of the car parking zone with lights and sirens on, becoming a member of different items that gave the impression to be pursuing somebody south on Cedar Rd. Round 8 police vehicles have been seen.
Inside a block of Everett Plaza, 6 Information noticed police had pulled over one automobile. One other automobile was additionally stopped by police on the intersection of Mason St. and Cedar St. shortly after midnight.
Police pulling over a automobile, close to the intersection of Mason St. and Cedar St.
Right now, police haven’t confirmed why these vehicles have been pulled over, in the event that they have been concerned in Friday evening’s rally, or if any arrests have been made.
It is a growing story. Persist with 6 Information for the newest updates.
