One of the drivers featured in a viral video of a Tysons street race last year received a 90-day jail sentence yesterday (Thursday).
Carlos Montero, 38, of Sterling had all but five days of his sentence suspended, in addition to receiving a six-month limitation on his driver’s license and fines totaling $950.
The sentence, handed down by Fairfax County General District Court Judge Vanessa R. Jordan, came nine months after Montero raced his blue Lamborghini against a Cybertruck down a short stretch of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) near the Spring Hill Metro station.
Video of the Oct. 13, 2024 incident, which gained more than 150 million views across social media, showed the two vehicles coming to a stop at the intersection with Westwood Center Drive before rapidly accelerating down the road.
Moments later, the two vehicles slowed to a stop just shy of the Spring Hill Road intersection, where a handful of cars had been waiting for the light to change.
A compilation of videos from the race was played in court Thursday, despite objections from Montero’s attorney.
Before Jordan handed down her sentence, prosecutor Andrew Bolton reiterated the argument that Montero’s actions endangered not only those on the roadway, but the dozens who had gathered to spectate the illegal race.
“The defendant gambled with the lives of pedestrians and fellow motorists,” Bolton said.
Bolton argued in favor of a custodial sentence for Montero, saying that incarceration “would serve as a stark reminder” of his decision.
Defense attorney Rachel Fierro challenged Bolton across the courtroom, opining that, while Montero’s decision to race wasn’t a good one, he didn’t act maliciously.
Fierro noted that the road was cleared of pedestrians except for a flagger, and that the two drivers only used a short stretch of the road — ultimately braking as they neared other vehicles.
“It was not necessarily done in a reckless manner,” Fierro argued.
In a press release, the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office noted that the flagger, who could be heard on the viral video asking the racers if they’re ready, testified during the trial.
Jordan ultimately found Montero guilty of the two charges he faced: racing, which is a misdemeanor, and failure to obey a highway lane marking, a traffic infraction that carried a $200 fine.
The reckless driving conviction came with a fine of $1,000, though $250 of it was suspended.
“What you did was conduct a race on Leesburg Pike in the middle of the afternoon for Instagram, for bragging rights, for something … the Court believes this is a situation where convictions are appropriate,” Jordan said.
Montero will report to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center next Friday (Aug. 8) to begin his five-day jail sentence.
“This reckless behavior attracted a lot of online attention — I hope the consequences do as well,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve 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.”
The alleged Cybertruck driver charged in connection with the race, Vienna resident Christian Daniel Camacho, faces one count of misdemeanor racing. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 28.
Screenshot via @ccj_media/Instagram
