A Los Angeles man who allegedly brought one of the city’s busiest freeways to a standstill during rush hour to film a music video is now facing multiple felony charges nearly two years after the incident.
Eduardo Erik Martinez, 33, has pleaded not guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit exhibition of speed and two felony counts of vandalism, according to a Nov. 26 press release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege that on Nov. 22, 2023, Martinez coordinated several vehicles to block the northbound lanes of the 110 Freeway near the 9th Street offramp. While traffic was halted, he is accused of filming a music video “while other vehicles did donuts behind him and around him,” the release states.
A clip believed to be from the shoot shows a man in a light-colored suit standing on top of a car on an otherwise empty freeway as someone films him. Two other vehicles can be seen spinning in tight circles nearby, matching the description provided by officials.
“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. “This past summer, I announced that we’re partnering with law enforcement to crack down on and eliminate reckless street takeovers that can lead to death and other types of crimes that hurt our communities. If you choose to treat our streets like your own personal playground, you will find yourself in a criminal courtroom.”
Martinez is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 11, when a date for his preliminary hearing is expected to be set. His bail has been set at $100,000.
He is also accused of vandalizing a bench at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in October 2024 while appearing in court for an unrelated matter. If convicted on all current charges, Martinez could face a maximum sentence of four years and four months in jail, according to the district attorney’s office.
