A 19-year-old man from Groton recently appeared in court after Connecticut police caught him recklessly driving his BMW M3. However, far from just being a few miles per hour over the speed limit, he was clocked driving at more than double the speed limit.
The news first emerged from WFSB, and the state police identified the driver of the BMW M3 as Orlando Perez. Perez was driving at 147mph in a 65mph zone, and he was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond after his arrest. The incident took place on Interstate 395 at Putnam.
Connecticut State Police said a sergeant was conducting a motor vehicle enforcement sweep on I-395 South near exit 46 around 9 pm earlier in October. It was during this sweep that the officer noticed a BMW M3 traveling towards him at what looked like an incredibly excessive speed.
The officer’s instincts proved to be correct. The laser unit used to scan the M3’s speed registered 147mph. In a 65mph zone, that put Perez at 82mph over the speed limit, more than twice what was permitted on the interstate.
Police Were Soon Able To Arrest Perez
The sergeant spotted the BMW approaching at ludicrous speed, prompting his decision to laser-scan the car. After clocking 147mph, the sergeant got into his police car and followed it down the interstate, eventually stopping it near exit 43 in Danielson. Perez was taken into custody quickly, and thankfully there were no accidents or injuries from his reckless driving. Perez’s court date was set for October 21st.
After Perez was arrested, reckless driving was listed as the charge. What isn’t stated is what would happen to his BMW M3. The car could be crushed, and there is precedent for this. In Australia, a driver was recently caught doing 161mph in his McLaren GT (MA3), and the McLaren may be destroyed.
The driver of that car was charged after a speed camera clocked him at 161mph. That was 68.35 mph over the limit, with a speed limit of a staggering 93mph. Aside from crushing the BMW, the police may also decide to sell the car on, with the proceeds possibly going towards road safety initiatives. That is another thing that could happen to the McLaren in Australia. Police in a wide array of countries are trying to crack down hard on speeding offenses, as it seems to be becoming more and more of a problem in many places.
Speeding Is a Major Problem
Speeding is a major issue in many countries, including the United States. According to AAA, it accounts for nearly 30 percent of all traffic fatalities on American roads. The practice seems to be becoming more and more normalized among American drivers, with many thinking it is cool to speed and push a car to the limits.
If you want to do that, go and do a professional track day, and don’t endanger your life, the lives of other motorists, and those of pedestrians, too.