A Los Angeles man, who is charged with orchestrating a 2023 street takeover that brought traffic on the 110 Freeway to a halt so he could film a music video, is scheduled back in court next Dec. 2, according to prosecutors.
Eduardo Erik Martínez, 31, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit exhibition of speed and two felony vandalism counts. He is scheduled to return to court Dec. 11 for a preliminary hearing.
The charges are allegations, and Martínez is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“This was incredibly reckless behavior, all in search of a ‘viral moment’ on social media,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. “If you choose to treat our streets like your own personal playground, you will find yourself in a criminal courtroom.”
Prosecutors allege that during afternoon rush hour on Nov. 22, 2023, Martínez directed several vehicles to block the northbound 110 near the 9th Street offramp. He then began filming a music video while other drivers performed donuts around him, according to the complaint.
Martínez is also accused of vandalizing a bench in Department 40 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center on Oct. 21, 2024, while appearing in court on an unrelated matter.
Bail is set at $100,000, officials stated.
If convicted, Martínez faces up to four years and four months in county jail.
The case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.