When a 2021 Dodge Durango SRT HELLCAT worth nearly $100,000 rolled into the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department impound lot, it wasn’t headed for resale or police duty. Instead, the supercharged SUV met a hydraulic crusher.
Authorities announced this week that the high-powered Dodge was confiscated during the 2024 Street Rod Nationals. The vehicle was found to contain stolen parts, including its engine and frame making it ineligible for auction or fleet service due to liability and cost concerns. With no other option, police made an example out of it.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg personally pushed the button that flattened the HELLCAT. Officials explained the move was not only about disposing of an unfit vehicle but about sending a message to those who continue to endanger public safety with illegal street racing and reckless driving.
“This isn’t just about one car,” the statement read. “It’s about protecting lives, restoring order, and showing our city won’t tolerate lawlessness.” Since Louisville began its crackdown in 2023, more than 160 vehicles have been seized under the ordinance.
The HELLCAT crushing was broadcast on social media with a firm warning: “Let this serve as a message to anyone who thinks they can turn our streets into speedways. We’re watching. We’re acting. And we’re not backing down.”
By turning the crushing into a public event, Louisville hopes to show that there are serious consequences for abusing horsepower on public roads. Whether this bold tactic deters future offenders remains to be seen—but the image of a flattened HELLCAT is sure to stick with anyone tempted to treat city streets like a drag strip.
Source: Louisville Metropolitan Police Department
