HOLLYWOOD, Calif.–An apparent publicity stunt by a band snarled traffic on the southbound Hollywood (101) Freeway in Hollywood today, leaving thousands of motorists stuck in a miles-long backup.
The driver of a large black truck decorated with pictures and the name of a band turned the vehicle across several lanes of freeway traffic near Sunset Boulevard shortly after 11 a.m., leaving just one lane barely passable, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Jennifer Connelly.
As traffic ground to a halt, three members of the band climbed on top of the truck, put up an American flag and began performing. Police arrived and the three were arrested, but another person took the keys to the truck and drove off in another vehicle.
Police had to call in a tow truck to remove the truck.
The truck was removed and the lanes were reopened shortly after noon.
The band, the Imperial Stars, are a self-described “hard core hip hop band” from Orange County, according to its website. The group has a song called “Traffic Jam 101.”
