Four people were arrested early Saturday after a 100-car street takeover on Interstate 75 in Thonotosassa led to a high-speed police chase reaching double the posted speed limit.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper conducting traffic control received an alert broadcast around 1:30 a.m. stating that roughly 100 vehicles had blocked all northbound lanes near Mile Marker 266 to “perform burnouts.”
When law enforcement arrived to disperse the crowd, motorists scattered. A trooper spotted a lime green BMW fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed and initiated a pursuit.
FHP reported that the BMW wove through traffic with its hazard lights on, reaching speeds of 140 mph in a 70 mph zone. The vehicle eventually exited the highway onto Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, ran a red light at the intersection of Dona Michelle Drive, and pulled into a nearby parking lot, where officers stopped the car.
The driver, 25-year-old Yulian Torres Lugo, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated fleeing to elude and participating in a coordinated street takeover.
Three passengers were also arrested and charged as passengers in an active street takeover under Florida law: 18-year-old Mason Anthony Salois, 18-year-old Julia Lynn Paxton, and 24-year-old Madison Marie Rudeck. Troopers identified Rudeck as the registered owner of the BMW.
READ: Winter Haven And Orlando Men Seriously Injured In Multi-Vehicle I-4 Crash
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