Clearwater Man Facing Felony Drug Charges After Allegedly Driving 120 MPH On Bayside Bridge

A Clearwater man is facing felony drug charges after Pinellas County deputies say they spotted him driving over 100 miles per hour on the Bayside Bridge.

Deputies say they witnessed the man driving at a speed they estimated to be at least 120 miles per hour mid-morning on February 26. They gave chase to the Camaro, which they say was making aggressive lane changes and weaving through traffic.

After running a red light at Drew Street and McMullen Booth Road, deputies were able to catch up to the vehicle and perform a traffic stop. They say an inventory search of the vehicle yielded almost half an ounce of cocaine and a minuscule amount of marijuana in the glove box. Also within was a pill that returned a positive test for MDMA (“ecstasy”), they allege.

Deputies say the 26-year-old man initially denied ownership of the drugs, indicating that he believed the MDMA to be a workout supplement. As a result of the alleged discovery of the illegal drugs, deputies took him into custody at the scene.

The Florida native was booked into the Pinellas County Jail just after noon on charges of cocaine possession, MDMA possession, marijuana possession, and reckless driving. He was released that evening after posting a bond of $4,400.

Two days before the incident the defendant was arrested for aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, as authorities allege he struck the woman while at a pregnancy check-up. He was released on his own recognizance at that time. He was again arrested on March 4 for allegedly violating the terms of his pre-trial release on the aggravated battery charge and again released on bond late the next day.

The Law Offices of Bjorn Brunvand have been representing people charged with capital murder, felony drug charges, drunk driving, government fraud, and white-collar crimes for over a quarter century. Contact our office today to discuss your Tampa Bay-area state or federal charges.