Six charged with recklessly driving ATVs and dirt bikes on Durham

Six people were charged Monday after they recklessly drove ATVs and dirt bikes Sunday in Durham.

According to Chapel Hill Police, the six drivers were part of a group of several dozen ATV and dirt bike riders driving into Chapel Hill from Fordham Boulevard and Franklin Street.

Video was posted to Facebook Sunday showing a similar group driving down Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard Sunday afternoon.

Drivers in Carrboro and Chapel Hill said they are frustrated that more isn't being done.

"Motor bikes, the noises, it just causes distraction for drivers on the road, and it never ends well," said Elsa Conolly, who lives in Carrboro.

Even Durham Mayor Elaine O"Neal talked about being caught up in it during Durham City Council budget session.

"My encounter was a little scary," O'Neal said. "At the corner of Holloway Street at Main Intersection."

The drivers were identified and face the following charges:

Police said the drivers have been doing this for multiple weekends.

"Many of these drivers speed, run red lights, block oncoming traffic and drive onto sidewalks. It is extremely dangerous behavior, and it is not welcome in Chapel Hill," said Chief of Police Celisa Lehew. "Our investigators are working daily to identify and charge these drivers. We know from the experiences of other law enforcement agencies, the group's goal is to get officers to chase them, while other riders record the dangerous interactions. We will not put the safety of our community at risk by allowing that."

In Henderson, lawmakers have made moves to stop similar actions in their city, passing an amendment allowing for the construction of Motorsports facilities outside of city limits.

"As politicians, we have to do something," said Jason Spriggs, an at-large member of the Henderson City Council. "It has allowed more people to ride off of the public roads than before, [but] it still happens.

Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews said more will be done to crack down on this kind of reckless activity on the road.

"We've got a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional operation in the works and we do have our district attorney at the table as well," Andrews said. "She's committed as well in helping enforce and stop this kind of behavior."

Police said investigators are expected to bring additional charges in the case. It is currently unclear if similar dirt bike and ATV riding in Durham and Raleigh is connected to the incidents in Chapel Hill.

Police said if you find yourself in this situation, do not take matters into your own hands. Let them have the roadway, call 911 and try to get the license plate number of any vehicles blocking them in.