Police officers don’t usually have to spring into action while off duty, but one sheriff had little choice after witnessing a driver allegedly speeding so recklessly that he feared someone could be seriously injured or killed.
Sheriff Rick Staly of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was on his way to a dinner meeting with his wife when he spotted a white Dodge Challenger with dual black racing stripes traveling at triple-digit speeds, an apparent violation of Florida’s super speeder law.
Concerned by the driver’s dangerous behavior, Staly began pursuing the Challenger and eventually activated the lights and siren on his unmarked patrol vehicle.
The incident serves as a reminder that not every police vehicle is clearly marked. Drivers who assume they can speed because they don’t see a patrol car may be surprised when an unmarked police vehicle suddenly activates its emergency lights.
Sheriff Pursued Challenger for More Than Six Miles
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According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Rick Staly was traveling south on I-95 on Friday evening when a 2016 Dodge Challenger sped past him just south of the State Road 100 exit, prompting him to pursue the vehicle.
His speedometer indicated speeds between 115 and 125 mph for more than six miles. The driver of the Challenger reportedly weaved through traffic across all three lanes and got “within three to four feet of the rear bumpers of slower cars.”
Sheriff Staly then activated his lights and siren, forcing the driver to pull over on I-95. As he conducted the traffic stop, other motorists, who had been passed by the Challenger, were happy to witness that the reckless driver had been pulled over and beeped their horns as a sign of appreciation.
Driver Had a Pilot’s Final Exam the Following Day
The driver of the Challenger, who turned out to be a 22-year-old student pilot named Arul Nayak of Palm Coast, was taken into custody without incident.
He has no criminal history, according to the Instagram post. He told Sheriff Staly that he had a final pilot’s exam on Saturday and hoped to be out of jail before that. However, it is not known if he eventually made it to the exam.
Nayak was arrested for willful and wanton reckless driving and violating Florida’s super speeder law. He was transported to Volusia County Branch Jail, where he is being held on a $500 bond. Sheriff Staly said of the traffic stop:
“Driving 125 miles per hour and weaving through three lanes of traffic isn’t a mistake, it’s a decision to gamble with everyone else’s life, including the three passengers sitting in his own car. This wanna-be pilot was flying fast and low, but he wasn’t in an airplane and this wasn’t his final exam.”
What Is Florida’s Super Speeder Law?
Florida’s super speeder law, which took effect last year, targets motorists caught driving 50 mph or more above the posted speed limit or at 100 mph or faster while driving recklessly.
Under the law, first-time offenders can be fined up to $500, sentenced to up to 30 days in jail, or receive both penalties. A second conviction carries a maximum $1,000 fine and up to 90 days behind bars.
Drivers convicted of a third offense within five years also face a mandatory driver’s license suspension of at least six months, in addition to other penalties.