No Matter The Excuse
Law enforcement takes speeding seriously. In most cases, even just the idea of straying “a little” bit over the indicated limit will get you a ticket. Most people will abide by the limit, and really, as long as nobody is driving in a dangerous manner, all things are left as is, even by the highway patrol troopers.
However, there are special instances where the limit isn’t just broken; it’s smashed, as shown in this latest story from Florida, where one woman tried to justify her speeding by citing civic duty.
More Than Speeding
Guessing Headlights published a report that details this bizarre speeding incident. Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Rickie Zigler was going about his day monitoring the northbound section of Interstate 95 when he spotted something that would trigger his professional duty. Zigler saw a Black 2025 Toyota RAV4 rental unit driving rapidly in the left lane; at first, he estimated it to be speeding at around 130 mph, later confirming it was doing 120 mph. To apprehend the vehicle, Zigler had to accelerate to 131 mph to catch up.
After Zigler caught up and signaled for the car to pull over, he met the driver, 22-year-old Medjine Carmelie Francois. Here’s where things take a turn: he noticed the driver was sitting on top of the seat belt rather than being belted down properly and directed the driver to his patrol car. He noted two other male passengers; one was Keyshawn Bennett, who the driver claimed was trying to get to his court hearing on time, which is why she was speeding.
The report by the highway patrol agency also noted that the trooper detected a very strong odor of burnt marijuana while standing beside the RAV4’s open driver’s door. Zigler then asked the group about weapons; the driver admitted to one below the driver’s seat, but when he asked the other two passengers, they pointed him towards the rear of the vehicle. Zigler then found a semi-automatic rifle within reach of either of the passengers, which was loaded with 30 rounds.
Toyota
Packing Heat
Despite the firearm, Zigler ran a check, and it came back clean, as did the check on the driver, who had a valid Florida driver’s license. The outlier came when he ran a check on Bennett, who had 2 outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court, the very same reason for the speeding that got them in another bind. Bennett’s initial legal issues began back in February of 2025, when he was arrested after campus security at Bethune-Cookman University received reports, photos, and videos of firearms in the student’s dorm.
The third passenger was not arrested and was dropped off by the police at the nearest exit. Police took Francois and Bennett to the Volusia County Jail. Francois was charged with operating a vehicle 50 mph over the speed limit, but was given a $500 bond. However, Bennett was charged with two felony failure-to-appear charges and was not released on bond.
