DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Social media videos show one of Atlanta’s busiest interstates taken over this weekend.
Video posted to YouTube shows the illegal street racers turning I-285 into a racetrack. It happened near the Glenwood Road exit.
The YouTube video shows drivers doing burnouts, donuts, and racing down I-285. You can see moving cars just inches away from people with their phones out, capturing it all on camera.
Others are seen standing along the exit ramps.
“That’s outrageous,” said Robin Peterson, who has lived in the neighborhood for decades.
“Do you think somebody could have gotten hurt?” Channel 2’s Ashlyn Webb asked resident Monte Cole who watched video of the interstate takeover on Channel 2 Action News at 6:00 p.m.
“Oh, definitely. More than hurt. Permanently hurt,” Cole replied.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Georgia DOT moves surplus property auctions online to reach buyers
- Drivers say they are not getting enough warning when driving through speed camera zones
- Taylor Farms, company at center of cyclospora outbreak, now pulling jalapeños over salmonella
We found more than a half-dozen videos posted on Instagram showing this happened around 2 a.m. Sunday.
DeKalb County Police Department told us they received one call just after 2 a.m. about reports of speeding and reckless driving, but the agency told Channel 2 the road was clear by the time officers got here.
This is the third street takeover we’ve reported on in the last several days.
On Aug. 2, video shows a suspect being taken into custody while others behind him are still doing donuts in the intersection of Covington Highway and Wesley Chapel Road.
DeKalb County Police say they arrested one man, 23-year-old Ruben Tejada Arevalo, for Promoting/Organizing Drag Racing, Reckless Stunt Driving, Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer, and Illegal Window Tint.
Another video of a DeKalb County street takeover shows a man firing a gun before fireworks go off.
“We should really definitely find some kind of way to manage, maybe have more control,” Cole said.
DeKalb County Police say they investigate every report of street racing.
We asked about this case, but we haven’t heard any details of an investigation or arrests.
We reached out to Georgia State Patrol, but the agency said DeKalb County Police responded to the interstate takeover.
DeKalb County Police full statement:
“The roadway was clear by the time DeKalb County Police officers arrived in response to the call.
You also referenced the August 2 incident at Covington Highway and Wesley Chapel Road. In that case, the first responding officer was able to take one of the suspected reckless drivers, 23-year-old Ruben Tejada Arevalo, into custody. He has been charged with Promoting/Organizing Drag Racing, Reckless Stunt Driving, Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer, and Illegal Window Tint.
Street takeovers create an unacceptable danger to motorists, pedestrians, and the communities we serve. The DeKalb County Police Department continues to take a proactive approach to preventing this type of activity through targeted enforcement, intelligence gathering, and coordinated operational strategies. We investigate every report of street takeover activity and pursue appropriate criminal charges whenever offenders can be identified.
Our proactive efforts have also been successful in preventing several planned street takeover events before they could occur. While these events are often organized quickly through social media and participants frequently disperse before officers arrive, our personnel have disrupted numerous events, prevented others from occurring altogether, and made arrests of participants and organizers. We remain committed to identifying those responsible, holding them accountable, and protecting the public from these dangerous and illegal activities."
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
