Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers arrested a 20-year-old Clearwater man after they said he drove a Nissan Altima through Tampa at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The early-morning encounter ended with allegations of driving under the influence and dangerous excessive speeding.
A trooper first spotted the 2023 Nissan shortly after 4 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, near the Interstate 275 and Interstate 4 interchange. FHP said the Altima was traveling faster than 100 mph when it entered eastbound I-4.
Additional troopers reportedly observed the car exceeding 120 mph as it approached the State Road 574 exit. The driver left the interstate and continued east on SR 574 at more than 90 mph before troopers stopped him near Orient Road.
FHP identified the driver as Aiden Irizarry. Troopers conducted a DUI investigation before arresting him and taking him to Orient Road Jail, according to Tampa Bay 28.
The Nissan Reportedly Exceeded 120 MPH on I-4
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The reported route carried the Nissan from the interchange near downtown Tampa along eastbound I-4 and onto SR 574. FHP did not report a collision or any injuries during the encounter.
Troopers also did not say how long they followed the Altima or how they stopped it at Orient Road.
FHP Has Not Published an Alcohol Test Result
FHP said its roadside investigation led troopers to arrest Irizarry on a DUI charge. Neither the agency’s announcement nor the local report included a breath- or blood-alcohol result.
The available accounts also do not describe the observations or testing that led troopers to suspect impairment. Irizarry additionally faces an allegation of violating Florida’s Super Speeder law.
Florida’s Excessive-Speeding Offense Can Carry Jail Time
The statute officially calls the offense “dangerous excessive speeding.” It applies to driving at least 50 mph over the limit or reaching 100 mph in a manner that threatens people or property or interferes with another vehicle.
A first conviction can carry up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $500 or both under Florida law.