‘Belltown Hellcat’ driver appears in court for pretrial hearings in reckless driving case

The man known as the driver of the “Belltown Hellcat” appeared in court Tuesday regarding his trial for alleged reckless driving, KING 5 reported.

Miles Hudson, 22, was called to the Municipal Court for jury selection and motion hearings, the media outlet stated.

“Mr. Hudson reserves his right to testify, and defense has no witnesses,” Hudson’s attorney said Tuesday, according to KING 5.

Hudson has drawn repeated police attention over the past year for tearing through city streets in his tiger-striped Dodge Charger Hellcat and posting the stunts on social media.

‘Belltown Hellcat’ appears in court in April 2024

In April 2024, Hudson appeared in court for reckless driving and was subsequently barred from driving the vehicle following reports of him tormenting Belltown residents for months due to excessive speeds and noise.

“It has gotten so bad for people who live in the area, even those living 30 stories high have been calling police to complain about all the loud noise he’s been causing,” Ursula Reutin, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, said last year. “His Instagram account with 600,000-plus followers features videos of him driving that souped-up car at night and early in the morning. You can’t do that.”

In July 2024, during a hearing for an ongoing domestic violence case in municipal court, Judge Seth Niesen ordered Hudson to not post any and all content related to both cases to his social media accounts.

Hudson back in court in August 2024

Hudson was then wanted again in August 2024 after city prosecutors filed a motion to revoke his release. Prosecutors asked the judge to issue a $25,000 bench warrant for allegedly violating a court order that he stop posting content to his social media channels.

On August 12, Judge Seth Niesen ruled Hudson violated the court order to not post content to his social media accounts on Instagram and Twitch.

“It’s clear to the court that the defendant’s attempts at internet celebrity are the driving force behind his alleged criminal conduct,” Niesen said. “Therefore, the court’s narrowly tailored order, limiting the rights as part of a pre-trial condition of release, serves a significant government interest in preventing the defendant from both committing a violent crime as well as interfering with the administration of justice.”

Hudson pleads guilty to hurting mother

Hudson also faced a $25,000 bench warrant issued by Renton city prosecutors who said Hudson failed to appear for a hearing related to a 2023 altercation with his mother. According to court documents, Hudson pleaded guilty to slamming his mother to the ground after she refused to make him coffee. He was sentenced to serve one year in jail, but instead, a judge suspended that sentence as long as he agreed not to break any laws and to attend all future court hearings. According to court records, Hudson spent just two days behind bars at the time.

Stalking, harassment claims

In Seattle, in addition to two charges of reckless driving, Hudson faced charges of stalking and harassment in Seattle connected to a former girlfriend. Court documents stated Hudson allegedly showed up at his ex’s job and harassed her in front of her co-workers. When the woman left, prosecutors claim Hudson followed her home and continued to call her and message her. Niesen ordered the $5,000 bail in that case forfeited and issued a new $15,000 bail Monday.

Before Hudson was taken into custody, Niesen spoke directly to Hudson and warned him not to try and circumvent any more of his orders.

“If you come in front of this court with a second violation, it is going to be very problematic,” Judge Niesen said. “I want you to have the opportunity to live the life you want to live, but you have to comply with my orders.”

Legal proceedings in Hudson’s current case are set to continue this week, according to KING 5.

Contributing: Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest

Luke Duecy is a reporter for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.

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