A group of teenagers in Belle Isle, Florida, is in hot water after they decided to choose the roof af an SUV as their seat. The driver is facing charges, and four other young adults have been cited by the police.
According to a post made by the Belle Isle Police Department in Florida, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 9. At around 4:30 a.m., a group of teenagers was accused of starting their early morning routine with an extravagant SUV ride.
The BIPD reported that the vehicle was recorded traveling at around 40 mph. It is no secret that falling from a vehicle at that speed, especially at such a height, could be extremely dangerous and most likely fatal.
Fortunately for Belle Isle residents, and most importantly, for the teenagers’ well-being, the vehicle was soon stopped by a BIPD officer. Their night of “riding dirty,” as labeled by the department, was put to an end.
Footage Shared
Footage of the incident was shared on Facebook by the BIPD. The vehicle was caught on camera traveling through an intersection on the streets of Belle Isle.
As shown in the clip, the teenagers or young adults were spotted on top of the SUV. At least three of them appeared to be sitting on top of the car. Meanwhile, a fourth one was sitting on the front passenger’s window frame.
Of course, the only one not spotted in the clip was the driver. He was, however, the only one identified and arrested: 19-year-old Gary Woudechul Mathurin.
Alcohol and Drugs
As reported by FOX 35 Orlando, the teenagers were traveling in the vehicle while blasting the radio. Reportedly, residents could hear loud music from at least 75 feet away.
The BIPD officer, after pulling over the SUV, noticed some additional details other than the obvious roof sitting. A police department report cited by the outlet detailed that the officer smelled an alcohol and marijuana stench coming from the inside of the vehicle.
Allegedly, a bottle of whiskey, a handgun, and a pipe inside a bag were found in the vehicle.
Driver Arrested, Passengers Cited
Gary Woudechul Mathurin is charged with reckless driving and permitting a passenger to ride on the exterior of a vehicle. Depending on whether this is a repeated offense, the 19-year-old could face up to six months behind bars.
Meanwhile, the rest of the teenagers, all unnamed, were cited for riding on the exterior of a vehicle. Reportedly, the passenger sitting closest to the whisky bottle was cited for an open container.