Troopers bust drivers for racing high-end BMWs in Catawba County

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Street racers driving high-end BMWs were busted Sunday evening in Catawba County, deputies said.

Authorities said 10 cars were involved along Highway 321 in Newton, but five of those cars were seized after they were determined to be racing.

Officials said the other cars were impeding traffic so that the cars could race.

Troopers said the individuals created hazardous driving conditions and nearly caused several crashes.

The Highway Patrol said the five BMWs were used in the racing and were traveling at speeds over 100 mph. Two other vehicles escaped.

None of the seized cars were registered in North Carolina. Each is worth between $80,000-100,000.

The Highway Patrol staged the area and shut down the road for 5-10 minutes to get them off the road.

Deputies said a caller told them a man with a camera was hanging out of the window from one of the cars and was filming the race.

Five drivers are facing charges of pre-arranged speed racing, careless and reckless driving and impeding traffic.

Their names have not been released.

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