Three people were arrested after hundreds of all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes swarmed busy streets in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon, police said.
While it’s illegal to ride in the city, footage captured ATVs and dirt bikes weaving in and out of traffic, popping wheelies and performing other tricks.
One rider was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital after his dirt bike collided with a car at the intersection of Custer and Moreland avenue in southeast Atlanta, police spokesman Sgt. John Chafee said. He is stable, according to police.
Channel 2 Action News obtained video of riders on Donald Lee Hollowell and James Jackson Parkway in northwest Atlanta as well as Peachtree Street in Buckhead.
One family was nearly run off the road, the news station reported.
“Someone will die today if that continues," Buckhead business owner T.J. Callaway told Channel 2.
Chafee said officers “typically do not pursue these vehicles with our patrol cars as they often run from police, weave between vehicles, drive on sidewalks and go off-road in their effort to elude capture, creating even more dangerous situations.”
However, additional resources were moved to the areas where the vehicles were seen.
“We do take these violations seriously and have strategies in place to capture and arrest riders and impound their vehicles,” Chafee said.
Chaston Talley, 25, was arrested in the 300 block of Pharr Road and booked in the city jail on disorderly conduct, no tag/decal and marijuana possession charges, according to officials.
Credit: Atlanta Department of Corrections
Credit: Atlanta Department of Corrections
Aaron Patterson, 34, was captured in the 2100 block of Monroe Drive, police said. He faces multiple charges, including reckless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, use of fraudulent license or ID, failure to maintain insurance and operating all-terrain and off road vehicles.
City jail officials said he was driving without a helmet, protective eyewear and a current tag. Additionally, his license plate was not displayed properly.
Credit: Atlanta Department of Corrections
Credit: Atlanta Department of Corrections
Carllier Shy, 40, was arrested in the 2900 block of Peachtree Road. Details about the charges against Shy have not been released.
In addition to the three arrests, three ATVs and one dirt bike were seized, according to police.
This isn’t the first time ATVs have been a problem on city streets.
One year ago, Atlanta police officers and Georgia State Patrol troopers targeted areas popular with riders. During the operation, officials issued 11 citations to ATV riders, and also uncovered other crimes during 29 traffic stops.
RELATED: Teens among 11 arrested during illegal ATV, dirt bike riding sting on Atlanta roads
Police also arrested 11 people, recovered six firearms and impounded numerous vehicles. Three felons were charged with firearm possession, Chafee said at the time.
MORE: Police, troopers crack down on dirt bikes, ATVs on Atlanta streets
About 650 people are killed each year and another 100,000 are injured in crashes involving ATVs, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Georgia ranks 12th for most ATV deaths reported between 1982 and 2016, and in recent years, fatal wrecks happened on paved roads, the commission reported.
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