A Florida teenager is facing criminal charges after authorities say he drove a Ford Mustang GT at extreme speeds on a central Florida highway, triggering a high-speed pursuit by a state trooper driving the same model vehicle.
Wet Roads, 95 MPH, and Reckless Lane Changes
According to a report from CBS 10 Tampa, the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, on Interstate 4 in Hillsborough County. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper observed a Mustang GT traveling an estimated 95 miles per hour while passing other vehicles and changing lanes without signaling, on roads authorities noted were wet at the time.
Police say that when the trooper tried to catch up, the driver accelerated sharply, and the Mustang allegedly hit a top speed of 154 miles per hour during the pursuit. The car appeared to be an S550-generation Mustang GT, which is electronically limited to roughly 155 mph — meaning it was reportedly running right up against its maximum capability.
Caught by a Matching Mustang
The pursuit stood out for one particular reason: the trooper was driving a Mustang GT patrol vehicle, which let officers close the distance despite the excessive speed. Authorities say the driver eventually noticed the emergency lights and siren and pulled over without further incident.
The driver was identified as 19-year-old Cirilo Rayo-Callejas. He was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Hillsborough County Jail on charges including reckless driving and dangerous excessive speeds — allegations that remain unproven in court.
Falling Under Florida’s Super Speeder Law
Because the alleged speed topped 100 miles per hour, the case falls under Florida’s Super Speeder law, which took effect last July. Under that statute, a first-time offense can bring penalties of up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both.
The arrest is part of a recent string of high-speed incidents involving Ford Mustangs across the country, renewing concern among law enforcement about extreme speeding and driver behavior. Authorities emphasized that wet road conditions and late-night traffic made the alleged actions even riskier, and the investigation remains ongoing.