For a lot of people, high-speed police chases are pure entertainment. It’s rare to see something that usually happens in movies happen in your own community. And while some get a thrill watching on a screen and picking sides, these pursuits put everyone from the suspect to innocent bystanders at serious risk. Miami Police Chase Down Dodge Charger A high-speed chase through Miami is going viral on Facebook after a news helicopter crew’s running commentary made the pursuit sound less like breaking news and more like a commercial for a Dodge Charger. “The best Dodge Charger commercial,” read the on-screen caption. The two-minute clip shows a white Dodge Charger weaving through traffic on the highway and outrunning police at speeds topping 152 miles per hour, according to the crew’s speed tracker. “He is absolutely flying up that freeway. Holy hell,” the announcer exclaimed. “That’s insane. It’s faster than the last Charger chase we covered.” The chase began with the Charger barreling down the freeway as police cruisers attempted to intercept. Police scanners indicated Miami officers were waiting ahead, but the driver seemed to anticipate the trap. FROM THE TRENDING NEWS DESK Viral bits from across the social media landscape Our team of experts tracks what's trending so you don't have to—from viral videos to online debates that have everyone talking. After briefly exiting, he swerved back onto the freeway. “My experience is telling me he’s about to pull off the old switcheroo and jump straight back on the freeway at some speed,” the announcer predicted. Seconds later, the driver did exactly that. Throughout the pursuit, the commentators openly admired the vehicle’s performance. “Please just look at that. That Charger is hauling up that freeway, and within a minute, that car can literally do naught to 60 in three point six seconds,” one said. “Did you just see that? He changed two lanes at over 100 miles per hour.” As police helicopters joined the chase, the announcer threw shade at law enforcement: “I don’t think Miami PD’s chopper appreciates us being here, but sorry, boys. We got a job to do.” Later, when identifying the model as a Dodge Charger Scat Pack, they added pointedly that it was the kind of car “PD wouldn’t be able to afford.” Did Police Catch the Driver? The pursuit stretched for about 30 minutes, with police briefly closing in. But in the end, the driver slipped away. “It appears there’s a lot of police activity down there,” the announcer narrated. “The cruisers are driving around this area looking, looking for the car, scratching their heads because he may have gone into a building.” The announcer then hinted that his crew saw where the driver went, but had no desire to turn on what seems to be one of the most skilled drivers he’s seen. “My camera, well, let’s just say it didn’t see anything,” the announcer concluded. Police Chases Are More Dangerous than They Look While viral clips like the Miami Charger pursuit often spark fascination, police chases carry significant risks to the public. There were 455 fatal crashes involving police pursuits recorded in 2020, the highest number since 2007, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported. Innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are frequently among the casualties. Critics argue that many pursuits begin over relatively minor offenses, such as traffic violations or suspected stolen vehicles, and aren’t worth the risk to public safety, the Policy Brutality Center explained. In response, several cities have restricted pursuit policies. Chicago, for example, bars officers from chasing suspects if the most serious offense is theft or a non-violent traffic violation. Washington state requires officers to have probable cause of a violent or sexual offense before initiating a chase. Advocates also point out the psychological toll of these incidents. Witnessing a chase or a crash can be traumatizing and, in severe cases, lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. Communities of color, which are disproportionately affected by police misconduct, often experience heightened anxiety and mistrust as a result. Alternatives to traditional high-speed chases are gaining traction. Technologies such as GPS tagging devices and grappler bumpers—which can entangle a suspect’s rear wheel—allow police to track or stop vehicles without dangerous pursuits. Some departments are also exploring remote shut-off systems for stolen cars. Commenters React “The [news] chopper 100% saw him hide,” a top comment read. “I’m just saying that guy in the chopper is a real g. He knows exactly where that car went. But he ain’t a snitch,” a second person said. “Everyone was rooting for this guy,” another noted. Motor1 reached out to the Facebook user. This story will be updated should they respond.
