Fairfax County, Va. — A street race between a Lamborghini and a Tesla Cybertruck that took place in Tysons Corner in late 2024 and later went viral has now led to legal consequences for both drivers involved.
On Thursday, Carlos Montero, 38, of Sterling, was sentenced in Fairfax County Circuit Court to 90 days in jail, with all but five days suspended, for his role in the dangerous incident. The sentencing follows a misdemeanor reckless driving conviction handed down on March 24, according to the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
The Race That Caught Elon Musk’s Attention
The high-profile race occurred on October 13, 2024, near Westwood Center Drive and Leesburg Pike, and quickly gained widespread attention after a video of the event was shared on social media. The footage, which showed a flagger signaling the start of the race, received more than 150 million views online and even caught the eye of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who reposted the video.
Both Montero, driving a Lamborghini, and Christian Camacho, 48, the driver of the Cybertruck, were arrested and charged with reckless driving. A flagger, seen in the video initiating the race, also testified at both trials, helping to confirm details of the event for the court.
“Street Racing Is Dangerous,” Prosecutor Says
In a statement released after Montero’s sentencing, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano condemned the behavior.
“This reckless behavior attracted a lot of online attention—I hope the consequences do as well,” Descano said. “Plain and simple: street racing is dangerous, it needlessly puts the lives of others at risk, and it has no place on the highways and roads that you and your family frequent.”
Penalties and Sentencing Details
In addition to the jail sentence, Montero was fined $750 for reckless driving and an additional $200 for a separate highway traffic violation. Though sentenced to 90 days behind bars, the court suspended 85 of those days, meaning Montero will serve just five days in jail unless further infractions occur.
Camacho, the Tesla driver, was scheduled to be sentenced on the same day, but his hearing has been rescheduled for August 28.
Broader Implications
The viral nature of the race and the high-performance vehicles involved have reignited public debate over street racing, particularly in busy suburban and urban areas like Tysons Corner. Officials say that while these races may draw online fame, they also pose significant risks to drivers, pedestrians, and other motorists.
Fairfax County officials emphasized that reckless driving laws exist to deter such behavior, and they hope this case sends a clear message to others tempted by the thrill of illegal street racing.
As the community watches for Camacho’s sentencing next month, authorities remain firm in their stance: street racing will be met with serious legal consequences, regardless of the vehicle or the viral fame it generates.
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