A Florida driver was arrested after Pinellas County deputies accused him of traveling more than twice the speed limit before recording breath-alcohol readings above Florida’s legal limit.
Caue Morata was driving north on East Lake Road early Oct. 2 when a deputy estimated his speed at roughly 100 mph, according to a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit obtained by FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
Radar measured the vehicle at 101 mph in a 50 mph zone before Morata eventually stopped near East Lake Road and Boot Ranch Boulevard South around 3:36 a.m.
He was arrested on charges of DUI and dangerous excessive speeding.
The Stop
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A second deputy who responded to the stop reported smelling alcohol on Morata’s breath and seeing that his eyes were bloodshot and watery. The affidavit also describes him as unsteady on his feet.
Morata acknowledged consuming alcohol and was asked to complete standardized field sobriety exercises, which the affidavit says he failed.
Deputies then took him to the Pinellas County Central Breath Testing Facility.
Two Readings
Morata provided two breath samples, registering 0.129 and 0.127. Florida law establishes a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or greater as one basis for a DUI offense.
The speeding allegation also crosses a relatively new criminal threshold in Florida.
Under Florida Statute 316.1922, dangerous excessive speeding includes driving at least 50 mph over the posted limit. The law took effect in 2025 and provides for up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both upon a first conviction.
At 101 mph in a 50 mph zone, the speed alleged in Morata’s arrest affidavit was 51 mph above the posted limit.
Morata faces both the dangerous excessive speeding charge and DUI charge. The allegations have not been proven in court.