Two individuals were taken into custody on Sunday morning for reportedly engaging in street racing on the Florida Turnpike, reaching a speed of 199 mph in a zone with a speed limit of 70 mph.
Luis Alejandro Lozano-Figueroa, aged 20, and Mario Alberto Paz-Gil, aged 19, were apprehended by Orange County Sheriff’s deputies following reports from residents about multiple vehicles participating in street racing and takeovers in the Lake Mary Jane area.
Deputies observed a red Chevrolet Camaro and another black vehicle racing side by side, as detailed in the arrest affidavit. The Camaro proceeded onto the southbound Turnpike, where law enforcement clocked its speed at 199 mph.
Lozano-Figueroa, identified as the driver, faces charges for racing on a highway, while Paz-Gil is charged with being a passenger during street racing. Both individuals were taken to the Osceola County Jail. A 16-year-old passenger, also present in the vehicle, was detained and later released to their mother.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported 157 arrests and 1,290 citations in 2023 related to illegal street racing, seizing 54 vehicles, according to a tweet.
“This isn’t the first operation we’ve done, and it certainly won’t be the last,” the sheriff’s office stated. “We have ZERO TOLERANCE for street racing here in Orange County.”
Engaging in street and highway racing, street takeovers, and stunt driving is illegal under Florida law. The legislation also prohibits unauthorized drag racing, drifting, performing wheelies, burnouts, and donuts.
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website reports that from 2018 to 2023, almost 9,000 citations were issued for street racing and stunt driving throughout the state, with the majority of citations handed out to younger drivers.
