An 85-year-old Florida man and another driver were arrested last week after deputies say they raced down a Lake County road at more than 100 mph in a 45 mph zone.
The incident happened around 11:30 p.m. on June 12 in Leesburg, when a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy allegedly spotted the elderly man, William Bosworth of Leesburg, racing his gray Nissan 350Z convertible side by side with a red Chevrolet Corvette.
Radar readings allegedly showed the Corvette, driven by Philip Signorino, 57, of Titusville, traveling 125 mph while Bosworth’s sports car was clocked at 110 mph, officials said.
Bosworth allegally denied street racing when deputies initiated a traffic stop near State Road 48, claiming the Corvette had “swerved” toward him, prompting him to accelerate.
“I was out having a ride in my favorite car,” Bosworth, smoking a cigarillo, told deputies in bodycam footage obtained by WKMG News 6.
“Listen, Mr. Bosworth. I wasn’t born last night,” the officer responded. “I know what street racing looks like when I see it. You guys were street racing.”
Deputies also stopped Signorino. He, too, denied racing and reportedly argued that his Corvette was not capable of reaching the speed recorded by the deputies.
Both Bosworth and Signorino were arrested and charged with street racing and dangerous excessive speeding. They were both later released after posting bond, jail records show.
Florida’s Super Speeder law makes driving more than 100 mph, or 50 mph over the posted speed limit, a criminal offense rather than a standard traffic citation. Convictions may carry fines, license suspensions and sometimes even jail time.
