A few weeks ago, Miles Hudson, a driver of a Dodge Charger Hellcat, was banned by the city of Seattle from using his vehicle due to numerous public complaints about his excessively loud aftermarket exhaust and his tendency to rev the engine late at night in the Belltown neighborhood. The situation has gained national attention following a significant exposé in the New York Times, as Hudson openly defies law enforcement, city officials, and even his own mother by embracing his controversial reputation on Instagram and refusing to comply with local regulations.
Now, city officials appear ready to take stronger action. A court order filed on Friday, highlighted by KOMO News, seeks to impose over $83,000 in fines on Hudson for various infractions in an effort to curb his disruptive behavior. A hearing is scheduled for June 18, during which the city will request a default judgment against him.
"Mr. Hudson has gained notoriety online by openly violating Seattle’s laws and disturbing his neighbors with excessive noise. It’s time for him to be held accountable for his actions. I have asked the court to declare Mr. Hudson in default and grant the city all applicable penalties,” stated City Attorney Ann Davison.
Hudson, known for driving a modified Charger Hellcat Widebody with a backfire tune, has shared numerous videos on his Instagram account showcasing his disregard for traffic laws and noise ordinances, including street racing at speeds exceeding 100 mph. This has led to numerous complaints from residents, with some even claiming they had to relocate to escape the noise. His vehicle has become popularly referred to as the “Belltown Hellcat,” named after the neighborhood where he frequently drives.
In mid-April, the city prohibited Hudson from using his Hellcat until he reverted his exhaust modifications. However, he seemingly ignored this court order and continued to drive his car provocatively for social media recognition — a fact he confirmed to a police officer during a recent traffic stop caught on body camera footage.
"I had a lengthy discussion with him that I recorded on my body-worn camera," a Seattle police officer reported to KOMO News. "I asked Hudson why he wouldn’t just use a racetrack for his car. He responded that he had ‘almost 700,000 followers’ on social media and that the income he earns from filming videos of his car on the street has financed the vehicle."
Humorously, Hudson’s mother attempted to intervene, writing to city officials two weeks ago to assert that her son no longer had access to the vehicle and would no longer be causing disturbances, as reported by the New York Times.
Hudson faces accumulating fines at a rate of $1,300 per day for his noncompliance, with the total reportedly reaching $83,200. He has pleaded not guilty to two additional charges of reckless driving, with a court date set for June 12.
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