A Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and former University of Georgia star is making headlines after Georgia deputies said a Lamborghini tied to him was clocked at more than 135 mph on Interstate 16.
According to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped a Lamborghini on May 15 after allegedly observing it traveling between 135 and 136 mph in a 70 mph zone while rapidly changing lanes without signaling.
However, outlets including NFL.com, NBC Philadelphia, and WALB later reported that the driver was Nolan Smith. Reports said Smith was arrested on reckless driving and excessive speeding charges before later being released.
The stop quickly spread across sports and automotive social media, especially because it involved a Lamborghini and a high-profile NFL player.
Online reactions ranged from jokes about a Lamborghini “finally being allowed to stretch its legs” to criticism over allegedly reaching those speeds on a public interstate.
Deputies Said the Lamborghini Was Traveling Nearly Twice the Speed Limit
According to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were conducting high-visibility enforcement ahead of Georgia’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign when they observed the Lamborghini traveling eastbound on Interstate 16 at what authorities described as an extreme rate of speed.
Deputies said the Lamborghini was traveling roughly 135 to 136 mph in a posted 70 mph zone while also rapidly changing lanes without signaling. Deputies initiated a traffic stop, and authorities said the driver pulled over without incident.
The sheriff’s office later shared photos of the Lamborghini parked outside the station on social media. However, the department did not initially identify the driver in those public posts, instead only describing the stop and the vehicle involved.
According to reporting from NFL.com and NBC Philadelphia, authorities later confirmed the driver was Smith.
Officials Joked About a “Very Expensive Lesson”
In its Facebook post about the stop, the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office joked that the incident avoided “a tow truck visit for a very expensive Italian ‘supercar nap.’”
Authorities said the driver cooperated throughout the encounter and followed deputies back to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office rather than having the Lamborghini towed from the interstate.
The department also added, “No drama. No injuries. Just a very fast car learning a very expensive lesson.” The sheriff’s office’s joking tone quickly caught attention online after the post began spreading across social media.
Reports said Smith was arrested on reckless driving and speeding charges before being released the following day after posting bond.
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Online Reactions Focused on the Speed and the Lamborghini
As details spread online, many commenters focused less on the arrest itself and more on the speed allegedly involved. Some joked that a Lamborghini traveling 136 mph was “barely awake,” while others pointed out that public highways are not racetracks regardless of the car’s capabilities.
Others pointed out deputies avoided turning the stop into a dangerous chase. Several commenters also noted how dramatically penalties can increase once drivers move far beyond typical speeding territory.
Some commenters also questioned whether a driver in a more ordinary vehicle would have received the same treatment or avoided having their car towed. The debate mirrors another recent viral controversy involving the California Highway Patrol, where an allegedly unlicensed McLaren driver reportedly clocked at 151 mph was cited and allowed to leave with a licensed passenger after a stop that later sparked backlash online.
Photos of the Lamborghini parked outside the sheriff’s office circulated widely online, especially across sports and automotive social media circles where exotic car arrests involving professional athletes tend to draw heavy attention.