POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 19-year-old Dundee woman was arrested Wednesday night after allegedly being caught street racing on US 27 while a 14-year-old was in the passenger seat.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), the incident occurred around 8:56 p.m. on May 14th near the Peace Creek RV Resort, east of Winter Haven.
A PCSO deputy conducting traffic enforcement in the area clocked two vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed.
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The posted speed limit on that stretch of US 27 is 60 mph, but authorities say both red and black sedans were seen driving in excess of 100 mph side-by-side in what appeared to be a race.
The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the red vehicle, a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The driver was identified as Mariah Bateman, 19, of Dundee. Deputies say a 14-year-old passenger was also present in the vehicle.
Official reports indicate that Bateman’s speed reached a maximum of 108 mph.
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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office subsequently arrested Mariah Bateman. She was transported to the Polk County Jail and faces charges of Street Racing and Negligent Child Abuse without Bodily Harm.
The identity of the other driver involved in the alleged racing incident is currently unknown.
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