Screams of Onlookers Heard in Video of Car Losing Control While Doing Sideshow Trick

A Ford Mustang doing doughnuts in the middle of a road in Oakland, California, over the weekend spun out of control into a screaming crowd of people and sped away without stopping.

The so-called sideshow activity caught on camera is part of a dangerous and illegal trend in the area that is putting neighbors at their wit's end.

Image source: YouTube

One person told KPIX-TV that the tire-screeching tricks go on into the early morning hours. Another man, Jorge Paez, said three different sideshow incidents have resulted in crashes into his fence, coming close to his front door. The problem is so extreme he told the news station that he might even leave.

“Maybe I try to sell the house or something,” Paez said.

The San Jose Mercury News reported that as many as 200 cars were involved in this latest sideshow activity that shut down a portion of an Oakland highway.

Image source: YouTube

Watch the footage of the crash, which was posted to the site World Hip Hop Star (Content warning: strong language):

According to a 2005 article in the San Francisco Chronicle, sideshows — or automotive tricks — in Oakland date back to the late 1980s. In the 1990s, a city ordinance required businesses to bar overnight access to parking lots, which turned sideshow activity onto the streets.

Last year, the Chronicle reported that sideshows, which have resulted in deaths in the past, were making a comeback in Oakland.

Here is a report from KPIX-TV about another sideshow incident that resulted in gunshots being fired last week:

As for this latest incident that appeared to involve a hit-and-run, KRON-TV reported that witnesses said several injured people were treated at a local hospital, something the news station said it was still trying to confirm.

The Oakland Police Department said the sideshow activity took place Saturday evening into the early morning hours of Sunday, KRON reported. Spokeswoman Johnna Watson said the department did not receive reports of a hit-and-run or injuries related to a sideshow.

“We take sideshow activity very seriously. Sideshows are inherently dangerous and are often associated with criminal activity. Sideshows can lead to injury or death, not only for those involved, but for spectators as well,” Watson told KRON.

City councilman Larry Reid, who told KTVU-TV the incident took place near his house and kept him awake, is now calling for more restrictions.

"It was crazy. You've got a hundred vehicles revving their engines and doing doughnuts in the parking lot,"  Reid told KTVU. "I just hope there's some more creative thinking within the Oakland police department to help us deal with it."