A Cadillac Escalade doing triple digits on a Florida interstate while weaving through traffic sounds like the setup to a bad joke. Unfortunately, deputies say it was just a Saturday afternoon on I-4.
On June 20, 2026, deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit were running speed enforcement on Interstate 4 when they clocked a white Cadillac Escalade at 100 mph in a 70 mph zone. Deputies said the SUV was also weaving through traffic, forcing nearby drivers to brake hard and take evasive action to avoid a collision.
When the deputy pulled the Escalade over, signs of impairment were immediately apparent, according to the sheriff’s office. The driver, identified as 34-year-old Rolando Perez Hernandez of Zephyrhills, Florida, was taken into custody. Authorities said a breath test put his blood alcohol content at .170 g/210L, more than twice Florida’s legal limit of .08.
The stop also came with a notable backstory. According to the sheriff’s office, Hernandez’s license had been revoked in April 2022 after a previous DUI arrest. Authorities said he was later deported to Mexico by ICE, then illegally re-entered the United States in 2024.
The Charges Stack Up
Hernandez is facing charges of DUI with a BAC of .15 or higher, dangerous excessive speed, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
The sheriff’s office said Hernandez’s immigration status results in each of the charges being enhanced by one degree under Florida law. An ICE hold has also been placed on him at the Polk County Jail.
Sheriff Judd Doesn’t Mince Words
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called the incident a miracle that no one was killed.
“Thankfully, no one was hurt or killed by this reckless, drunk driver,” Judd said. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure that if he is deported again, he stays out of this country.”
The Road Reality
I-4 between Tampa and Orlando is already one of Florida’s most stressful drives. Adding an allegedly impaired driver doing 100 mph in a large SUV makes the situation far more dangerous.
This time, deputies stopped the Escalade before anyone was injured. Given the speed, the alleged impairment, and the traffic around him, authorities say the outcome could have been much worse.