Miami-Dade County - Office of Community Advocacy

For Immediate Release:
January 11, 2023

Media Contact:
Griselle Marino
[email protected]
305-297-3139

Community Relations Board drag racing concerns from the community lead to arrests

MIAMI – The Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board (CRB) received multiple drag racing and reckless driving complaints and concerns from the community about this lawless activity. Through the partnership of the CRB’s Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Committee, the board raised the concerns in September 2021. In an attempt to address the issue through a more comprehensive and collaborative approach, a partnership with the CRB, Miami-Dade Police Department – Homeland Security Bureau, Mayors Office, State Attorney’s Office, and the Courts ensued. So far there have been more than 200 criminal citations and over 20 arrests. The CRB will continue to monitor drag racing related concerns.

Last week, police arrested Michael D. Trillo, 20, on charges of facilitating drag racing on a highway, and Eric Gotay, 31, was taken into custody on 44 counts of facilitating drag racing on highways/roadways, along with charges of engaging in a riot, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing, attempting to elude an officer after an accident, leaving the scene of an accident, as well as driving with a suspended license.

Last year, the Homeland Security Bureau identified, arrested, and charged the main organizer with 45 counts of Facilitating Drag Racing. He was a “Spinner,” a person who sets up car meets for drivers to perform burnouts, sliding, drifting, and donuts. Madison Kyle Hilgendorf, 31, used social media to connect with groups of drivers, police said. He went by “Savagelife” on Telegram and “Savagelyfe CC” on Instagram, according to the arrest form.

Police said drag racing events have led to numerous shootings and vehicular manslaughter. The groups also block traffic and prevent the access of emergency vehicles and residents.

The Miami-Dade Community Relations Board was founded in 1963 and its primary mission is to intervene and contain community tensions, as quickly as possible. The secondary mission of the Community Relations Board is to work proactively to identify and relieve intergroup conflicts before crises arise; to develop bridges of understanding and support programs in the community; to foster understanding, communication, and mutual respect; to develop and support local or city-based Community Relations Boards throughout the county; and to assure that resources are in place to respond to community crisis.

For more information, please contact Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board Director Shirley Plantin, EJD at 305-375-1406.

The Office of Community Advocacy, under the Board of County Commissioners, oversees 11 advisory boards. The Office is charged with making Miami-Dade County "One Community" that embraces our diverse and unique population. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow @AdvocacyMDC on, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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