A Social Media Car Meet Goes Wrong: 72 Vehicles Seized in LA River Stunt

It was supposed to be a massive photoshoot, organized on social media. Instead, it turned into one of the most expensive car meets in recent memory. Los Angeles police impounded 72 vehicles—mostly modified cars and a few motorcycles—after drivers took them into the iconic concrete channel of the LA River this week. News helicopter footage captured the scene, which looked more like a scene from a video game than a Sunday drive.

The LA River's smooth, sloping banks have been a magnet for car enthusiasts for decades. You’ve seen it in movies like *Grease* and *Gone in 60 Seconds*, and in games like *Grand Theft Auto V*. It’s a spot where people have long snuck down for quick photos, usually without much fuss. But this time, a convoy of more than 70 brightly colored cars created a traffic jam in the dry riverbed. A police helicopter spotted them, and officers moved in.

Drivers interviewed at the scene claimed they didn’t know it was illegal to be down there, pointing to a small no-trespassing sign. But authorities weren't buying it. The cost to retrieve an impounded vehicle can run into thousands of dollars in fees and fines. Some conspiracy-minded observers wondered if the whole thing was a setup to generate revenue. More likely, a fleet of Skittle-colored cars simply couldn't be ignored.

Either way, the era of casual joyrides through the LA River may be over. The access point that enthusiasts used for years will almost certainly be blocked off soon. A better idea? The city could just set up a toll booth and let people pay for the privilege of posing in that infamous concrete ditch. They’d probably make a fortune.