Man attacked after being caught in middle of street takeover in Steele Creek

CHARLOTTE — More people contacted Channel 9 after Monday’s report of SouthPark residents witnessing street racing and stunts late Friday night.

One of the viewers said he was caught in a chaotic scene over the weekend in Steele Creek that turned violent.

PAST COVERAGE:

• CMPD continues its push to end street racing in Queen City
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More people contacted Channel 9 after Monday’s report of SouthPark residents witnessing street racing and stunts late Friday night.

One of the viewers said he was caught in a chaotic scene over the weekend in Steele Creek that turned violent.

People across Charlotte are demanding that police stop the recklessness.

Robert Zuniga was at the intersection of Steele Creek Road and Westinghouse Boulevard at about 11 p.m. Saturday night and on his way home.

“It was nothing but chaos,” Zuniga told Channel 9.

There were about 100 people blocking roads, racing and burning out when he tried to drive through until people surrounded his car.

“I was getting really nervous and the only thing I could think to do was to get a machete that I had in my back seat,” Zuniga said. “[It was] still in the package so I pulled the machete up to the window just to get them to back up.”

That is when he said they attacked his car, busting out the back window.

Zuniga told Channel 9 that someone fired a gun at him before he managed to escape.

People tried to call the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department when a street takeover happened over the weekend in SouthPark.

Some said it took police about one hour to respond. CMPD told Channel 9 that officers responded within 14 minutes.

Channel 9 asked CMPD if anyone is investigating the incidents.

City Councilwoman at large Dimple Ajmera said that she’s putting pressure on CMPD. However, Ajmera said the police department is already addressing it after more than 50 street racers were arrested in 2021.

“We have got to hold these people accountable,” she said.

Michelle Tallman recorded video from her apartment balcony Friday night at an intersection near Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte.

“Somebody is going to get hurt -- if you look at the video, the cars came pretty close to some of those people,” Tallman said.

CMPD said that its division leaders are discussing the latest street takeovers, but they don’t have any updates.

Last year, CMPD charged more than 50 people and seized 60 cars as part of a major street racing crackdown.

CMPD said they put together a team who spent months identifying the drivers and the cars involved.

Over the course of six months, CMPD said that officers made more than 2,500 traffic stops that included 3,500 violations.

‘Free-for-all’: SouthPark takeover

‘Free-for-all’: Street drifting, racing take over SouthPark intersection leaving residents concerned

Serena Battista watched street drifters at the intersection of Tyvola and Park roads Friday night from her condo balcony. There were cars doing doughnuts, drifting, screeching tires and the noises of loud engines and horns.

“It was insane, and I wanted them to go away so I could go to bed,” Battista said.

Battista and her roommate went down to get a closer look and shot video.

“It was literally a free-for-all,” Battista said. “Pretty much just havoc everywhere.”

Battista said that she saw hundreds of cars blocking off the intersection and people standing in the street, which caused a traffic jam.

There were between 75 and 100 cars on each side of the road, she said.

“I couldn’t even see the traffic anymore, how far it stretched back to each side,” Battista said.

No one tried to stop it, she told Channel 9.

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The street takeover lasted about an hour between midnight and 1 a.m.

“It’s very irresponsible,” she said. “That should have been dealt with, especially because this is such a busy residential neighborhood.”

Another resident emailed Channel 9 to say that she called police but had to wait four minutes while on hold with 911.

Officers responded to the intersection well after the crowd had dispersed, she said.

“There were, like seven people that said they called, and I know the neighborhood across the street, there were people who called, as well,” she said.

Battista said there was more chaos when the crowds and cars finally left.

“Nobody paid attention to the traffic lights,” Battista said. “There could have been countless accidents. People were going whatever way they wanted to and I saw almost three of them [collide].”

Channel 9 sent the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department a series of questions about the incident and has not heard back.

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