JB, a 50-year-old Palm Coast resident, was arrested and booked at the Flagler County jail on a speeding charge–going over 50 miles per hour above the posted speed limit. JB was going 90 in a 35 near Varn Park on State Road A1A, north of Beverly Beach.
He faces up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine or both if convicted on the second-degree misdemeanor. He is also required to appear at a hearing.
A driver who speeds unlawfully generally commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation. A state law that took effect on July 1, dubbed the Super Speeder Law created a criminal offense for “dangerous excessive speeding.” It applies if a driver exceeds the speed limit by 50 miles per hour or more, or if the driver goes 100 miles per hour or more in a way that threatens others’ safety.
JB was at the wheel of a silver BMW late the morning of Aug. 31 and driving–or rather speeding–south on A1A when Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy Zackary Guinup, who’d been speed-trapping on the side of the road, spotted him passing what the deputy reported were five cars in a no-passing zone, and speeding. His radar indicated 90 mph in a posted 35.
“One of the vehicles being passed was a motorcycle that was occupied by two riders,” the deputy reported. “Furthermore, the silver 2006 BMW 2D was passing by crossing over a double yellow line right by a public county beach, Varn Park, on a Holiday weekend. Varn Park was crowded and had a lot of foot traffic crossing the roadway throughout the day. It should be noted that while the silver BMW was passing the five vehicles, there were multiple people actively walking on the sidewalk right next to where the illegal passing was occurring.”
JB pulled over. He told the deputy he’d “been here before,” though his last traffic infraction in the county, an expired registration, dates back a decade and a half. The deputy asked the driver “what the reason was for his speed and passing everyone in a no-passing zone,” the deputy reported, “to which he stated he did not need to explain his actions to me.”
“I wasn’t going 90,” JB told the deputy as he was being handcuffed.
“Yes, you were,” the deputy told him.”
“No way.”
JB posted $300 bond after his booking and was released. His car was towed.
The area where JB was spotted speeding is the same stretch of A1A where a drunk William G. Schwarz, speeding and passing cars the evening of March 11, 2016, was attempting to pass a car when he crashed head-on into an oncoming one, killing Kathleen and Carl Boos. Schwarz was serving life in prison when he died.
Absent exigent circumstances, FlaglerLive does not run the names or mugshots of individuals charged with misdemeanors.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
It should be a Class D felony, reckless endangerment of the lives of others.
Sammy Hagar says
“I don’t need to explain anything.” Well you’ll be explaining it and begging the court for mercy once you realize you ain’t getting out of this one. What a goofball.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Thats why I sold my Corvette, speed is addictive. The G force pushing you back into the seat….PRICLESS
Mark says
He’s not the only one, more Sheriff’s presence needed over there.
Capt Bill Hanagan says
Guy was clearly driving like a moron and should be charged to full extent.. BUT rezoning that stretch to 35 is a bit ridiculous as well, should be 45mph+
YankeeExPat says
When my stepbrother attended the police academy in N.J. back in the mid 80″s , the first day of traffic enforcement classes the commandant stated to the plebs as follows,…….” Any person who driv
es a B.M.W. is by virtue inclined to be a douchebag !”
Lance Carroll says
Lots of dangerous and careless drivers out there. Vehicles have passed me on double yellow line, many times , while driving that stretch.
Go faster says
No pedestrians on St Rt 11 maybe that’s why no enforcement ?
Canary says
Just wait till he finds out what this does to his car insurance.
Jay Tomm says
Ok, he wasn’t really going 90….what he was doing was illegally passing 5 cars in a BMW that accelerated to 90 to get around 5 cars.
Then was tagged. He does deserve everything he gets though. People seem to pass like this all the time. They should enforce old kings. I get passed all the time & I’m doing 55. And 100 as it goes into west Bunnell. I’m doing 65 & people seem to want to pass & they get all into the other lane & I’ve had to slow & almost pull into the ditch to avoid a collision. DUMB!!!
Laurel says
No one should be speeding and passing five cars. On the other hand, 35 mph on that stretch is totally absurd! There is very little foot traffic in the area, and I don’t believe for a second that there was a lot of foot traffic across from Varn Park.
It never fails. People come down here from up north, and the speed limit drops like a hot potato. Then some of them get anxious over the crawling caravans, and pull something stupid.
A 365/24/7 school zone in Flagler Beach is insane! So, does everyone drive 20 mph in New York? It’s like an incredibly large condo commando group moved in. Come here and gripe about everything until they can control everyone.
FedUpWithStupidity says
@ Keep Flagler Beautiful – “Class D Felony?” You’re obviously not from here. But I’ll remind you, you’re in Florida now. Educate yourself and read up on Florida traffic law under FSS Chapter 316.
You would think a 50-year-old man would have more sense than that. Thank you FCSO for keeping our roads safe.
Doug says
Anyone know what a porcupine and a BMW have in common? The pricks are found on the inside of a BMW.
Toto says
Why the privilege of not releasing his name? Or mug shot? Public records, right?
FlaglerLive says
@Toto, please read the article. It’s explained.
To be honest says
“… Absent exigent circumstances, FlaglerLive does not run the names or mugshots of individuals charged with misdemeanors. …”
… I always felt displaying the mugshots, to the extent they do here in Florida, of accused (and even some convicted) individuals as a questionable practice.