OAKLAND -- The California Highway Patrol has released recordings of a dozen emergency calls from motorists reporting a brazen daylight sideshow that stopped traffic and rattled drivers on north Interstate 880 on Saturday.

The screeching of tires can be heard in the background of some of the calls, as motorists report that drivers were turning donuts in the middle of the freeway, creating thick black smoke and filling the air with the smell of burning rubber.

"There is smoke everywhere," one caller reported on the tapes released Tuesday.

"We are stuck on 880 and people are standing on top of their calls taking pictures," said another caller.

A dispatcher sounds unsure she's hearing correctly as she repeats information from one caller.

"Donuts on the freeway?" the woman asks.

"Yes, ma'am," the caller replies.

In releasing the calls -- from a frustrated big rig driver, a fearful mother with three children in her car and other motorists -- the CHP hopes those responsible for the incident will come forward, said CHP Sgt. Diana McDermott.

No one was injured and no arrests have been made in connection with the I-880 sideshow, which started near the Oakland Coliseum exit shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday and ended minutes later.

It's not clear from the 911 tapes or CHP reports exactly how many cars were involved. Callers described between four and 30 cars driving recklessly and unlawfully at different points during the recording.

"This group of individuals intentionally trapped people on the freeway and kept them from reaching their destinations in a timely manner," McDermott said in a statement.

The CHP is still seeking those involved and the department has received a "wealth of information from the public." The CHP and Alameda County District Attorney's office continue to investigate the incident, which was taped by several people.

In addition, the Oakland police recorded 18 calls and incidents related to sideshow activity separate from the I-880 inside Saturday, police said.
