JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested four people after breaking up a Labor Day street racing event that involved roughly 30 vehicles. The car meetup began off Blanding Boulevard before moving toward Friendship Fountain on the Southbank.
Sheriff’s officers intervened as part of an effort to address reckless driving across Duval County.
Multiple agency divisions participated in the operation, including Community Problem Response, K9, Aviation, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Specialized Traffic Enforcement and Patrol officers.
Authorities charged four individuals with street racing: 18-year-old Rafe Rich, 18-year-old Harlie Pye, 20-year-old Joseph Ezzo and 18-year-old Juan Solivan. Solivan was also charged with driving under the influence and was found to have an active warrant for his arrest.
In addition to the arrests, officers issued 15 traffic citations and four warnings during the enforcement action. Law enforcement impounded two vehicles for 30 days and seized two additional vehicles for forfeiture.
The sheriff’s office stated that while car meetups are permitted, law enforcement will intervene when meetups involve street racing, stunt driving or reckless behavior.
Sheriff’s office officials noted that passengers riding in vehicles involved in street racing or stunt driving can also receive citations.
“Street racers have no business in Duval,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “And we won’t stop until they’re held accountable for making our streets unsafe.”
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