Cops Kill Dodge Durango Hellcat to Taunt Street Takeover Guys. We’ve all heard road safety slogans. But in response to the surge in street takeovers, the Louisville police decided to take action with a shocking message: the public destruction of a Dodge Durango Hellcat.
A High-Impact, Publicized Operation
Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul L. Humphrey and Mayor Craig Greenberg organized this publicity operation on Wednesday afternoon. They went live on Facebook and invited local media to a press conference to announce the Louisville government’s firm stance on the issue of street racing.
“This is a message for those who want to engage in this dangerous behavior,” said Police Chief Humphrey. “We will not tolerate it in the streets of Louisville.”
The Tragic Fate of a Durango Hellcat
Chief Humphrey admitted he “would have liked to add this car to the fleet if it had been legal.” Unfortunately, it was equipped with stolen parts from several different vehicles. The owner was not prosecuted, as he was reportedly unaware of the vehicle’s dubious origins. This specific Durango Hellcat had been seized at last year’s Street Rod Nationals event and had been in police possession since.
An Intensifying Crackdown
Of the 167 vehicles seized by police for street racing and takeovers since 2023, four have been auctioned off. The proceeds from these sales went directly back to the police department. None have been integrated into the official fleet yet, but this possibility seems to be under consideration for the future.
A Human Tragedy Behind the Crackdown
“When we hear about illegal street races or takeovers in our city, the police intervene and put a stop to them,” exclaimed Mayor Greenberg. He then paid tribute to Myrtle Wacker, a 77-year-old Louisville resident killed by a street racer in October 2024. In that accident, a Ford Mustang traveling at 120 mph struck Mrs. Wacker and her 74-year-old husband, who was seriously injured.
Mayor Greenberg then operated the excavator to seal the fate of the 710-horsepower SUV.