Seattle's noisy "Belltown Hellcat" driver faces a reckoning
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Seattle's infamous "Belltown Hellcat" — the young Instagram influencer who drives a souped-up, tiger-striped muscle car at all hours of the night, to the consternation of many — has finally faced a reckoning. Perhaps.
Why it matters: With complaints rolling in from irritated residents awakened by the Dodge Charger SRT's revving and backfiring noises, the city has tried fruitlessly for months to get Miles Oliver Hudson to quiet down.
Driving the news: Last week, a municipal court judge granted the city's motion for a default judgment, fining the 21-year-old more than $83,000 for failing to remove noise-enhancing modifications to the car's exhaust system.
- Hudson, who wore sunglasses and a balaclava to court and represented himself without counsel, could face continued fines if he fails to comply with the city's noise regulations going forward, Fox 13 reported.
Efforts to reach Hudson through Instagram were not immediately successful. His mother, who is a registered owner of the car, told Axios neither she nor her son were interested in commenting.
What they're saying: "Today's ruling is a meaningful step toward stopping Mr. Hudson's hazardous and nuisance activity," said City Attorney Ann Davison in a statement after the judge's decision last week. "Our laws matter, and it's time for him to comply with them."
Catch up quick: Hudson, who has more than 760,000 Instagram followers, started posting in November, racking up millions of views and likes as he showed himself revving his car and speeding through the streets of Seattle.
- Seattle police seemed to be aware of the Charger by January, when an officer cited Hudson for speeding.
- Complaints about the car's loud engine increased in February and March, per a lawsuit the city filed in May against Hudson.
- In March, the city's Department of Construction and Inspections ordered Hudson to stop violating the noise ordinance and remove the car's exhaust system modifications.
Hudson allegedly told an officer who stopped him in March: "I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm going to make a career out of this," per the suit.
The intrigue: Hudson, who has been ordered by a judge not to drive his car, is also facing a slew of legal troubles unrelated to his driving, court documents show.
What we're watching: Davison introduced a bill to the City Council that would bring the city in line with new state rules that define street racing to include street takeovers, drifting, "donuts" and other dangerous driving techniques. The bill would also establish a $500 fine for infractions.
- The new state rules also allow law enforcement to impound a reckless driver's vehicle, potentially another tool to rein in Hudson.
What's next: Hudson is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on July 29 for two reckless driving charges, city attorney spokesperson Tim Robinson told Axios.