2 teens injured in OKC 'parking lot takeover'

Oklahoma City police are cracking down on so-called street or parking lot takeovers.

It's where large groups of people gather to perform car stunts — often blocking traffic and posing a safety risk. In one such incident on Sunday, two teens, 13 and 16, were injured when they were struck by an out-of-control car. Police said it was one of several vehicles that were gathered in an abandoned parking lot, marred by burnout rubber, near NW 23rd and MacArthur.

“Turns out there was a vehicle there in a parking lot driving excessively, driving recklessly in the parking lot,” said Sgt. Dillon Quirk, Oklahoma City Police. 

Witnesses told police a car was doing burnouts when the driver lost control and went sliding into spectators. They said the impact sent one of the kids "launching into the air and the other to the ground." Both victims were transported to local hospitals, one underwent surgery.

“Thankfully, these two did not suffer life-threatening injuries,” said Quirk.

The fallout was recorded on cellphone video, as police searched for additional witnesses and potential suspects at a nearby gas station. One witness told police the driver of the car involved, along with those participating in the parking lot takeover, fled before police arrived.

“Now, we have been able to identify that vehicle, but there have been no arrests that have come from that case so far,” said Quirk.       

In an unrelated incident, the night before, police arrested Cooper Lorenz,18, after an officer witnessed him doing burnouts in a gas station parking lot.

"We want the public to know we are not finished; if it continues, we're going to address it in private parking lots, in public roadways, where areas are blocked,” said Quirk.          

Because of safety risk, police and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol have resorted to extreme measures in the past. Last year, they used infrared technology to arrest dozens of drivers.

“You can be held criminally accountable for maybe what comes from this if you were to hit somebody or kill somebody,” said Quirk.

If you witness a parking lot or street takeover, police ask you to call 911.