Man Facing Charges for Disrupting LA Freeway to Film Music Video During Rush Hour
The Los Angeles 110 Freeway.
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A Los Angeles man faces charges for allegedly shutting down a portion of the 110 Freeway to film a music video during rush hour, nearly two years after the incident occurred.
Eduardo Erik Martinez, 33, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit exhibition of speed and two counts of felony vandalism, according to a press release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office dated November 26.
On November 22, 2023, authorities claim Martinez arranged for several vehicles to block the northbound lanes of the 110 Freeway near the 9th Street offramp. He allegedly filmed the music video while other vehicles performed donuts around them.
A clip purportedly from the video, shared by Fox 11 Los Angeles, shows a man in a light-colored suit standing atop a car in an empty freeway as two cars spin in circles around him.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman condemned the actions in a statement, emphasizing the recklessness involved. “This was incredibly reckless behavior, all in search of a ‘viral moment’ on social media,” he said. He further highlighted the dangers of street takeovers, stating that the district is committed to cracking down on such dangerous activities that jeopardize public safety. “If you choose to treat our streets like your own personal playground, you will find yourself in a criminal courtroom,” Hochman warned.
Martinez is scheduled to return to court on December 11 to discuss the date for a preliminary hearing. He currently has a bail set at $100,000. In addition, he faces charges related to vandalizing a bench at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in October 2024 while attending court for an unrelated case. If convicted, Martinez could face a maximum sentence of four years and four months in prison, according to the district attorney’s release.
