Street racers arrested after hitting 90 mph on I-5 in Seattle

Three Bellingham-area men were arrested Sunday afternoon after they were seen racing north from Kent to Seattle on Interstate 5 at speeds exceeding 90 mph.

Two of the three men were arrested just before 4 p.m. after getting stuck in a traffic backup near Michigan Street that was caused by ongoing, weekend construction projects on I-5 in Seattle, said State Patrol Trooper Christina Martin.

The men, 18 and 21, were booked into the King County Jail on suspicion of reckless racing, but were released just before 1 a.m. today, jail records show. Troopers impounded their vehicles, a red Ford Mustang and a green-and-black Mustang, Martin said.

The third man, who was seen driving in the area after the first two men were arrested, was later arrested, but was released without being booked into jail. The 21-year-old's car, also a Mustang was impounded, too.

All three were driving in excess of 90 mph, Martin said.

Several drivers called 911 to report six vehicles being driven aggressively and erratically, beginning on Highway 516 in Kent, said Martin. Three of the racing vehicles — two Volkswagen Jettas and a Nissan SX — were also northbound on I-5 but exited the freeway before the Michigan Street exit, she said.

At one point, witnesses told troopers the driver of the Nissan cut in front of the speeding Mustangs and slammed on the brakes, nearly causing a collision. A state Department of Transportation crew also reported seeing the cars fly by them. "Traffic was flowing at 70 mph at the time and these cars were way beyond that," Martin said.

The arrested drivers later told troopers they are members of a Bellingham auto-racing group called "Rogue Squadron," Martin said. She said a preliminary online search didn't turn up any information about the club.

For several years, street racing has been a growing problem in the Kent area.

"As soon as the sun comes out and the weather warms up," police and troopers see an increase in street racing, especially on Friday and Saturday nights in the area around Highway 167, Martin said.

"They're a tough group to catch sometimes because they don't stop."

Sara Jean Green: 206-515-5654 or sgreen@seattletimes.com