Posted on 06/06/2006 1:35:33 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
Some records are meant to be broken, but Scottsdale police aren’t happy with one that has been shattered by someone they described as “a very dangerous driver.”
The new speed record clocked last month by photo enforcement cameras along Loop 101 in Scottsdale — at 147 mph — is 16 mph more than the one set by an unknown motorcyclist on Feb. 14.
Lawrence Pargo, 26, of Goodyear was arrested by Scottsdale police at his home May 26 on suspicion of four counts of excessive speeding, reckless driving and endangerment, Scottsdale police Lt. Frank O’Halloran said.
Pargo was clocked and photographed in a silver Hyundai Sonata traveling at speeds ranging from 102 mph to 147 mph on four occasions between 5:47 and 6:20 a.m. May 21.
“He endangered the lives of others as well as himself,” O’Halloran said. “The car was beyond its capabilities, and he was beyond his capabilities of controlling it. The tires aren’t rated for 147 mph. They’re stock tires on a rental car. The car probably was shaking.”
The controversial speed enforcement program includes six cameras along a 7.8-mile stretch of Loop 101 between Scottsdale Road and Shea Boulevard. A proposed bill in the state Legislature that could ban speed cameras from state highways still is being discussed.
Arresting the worst offenders has been a top priority for the city as part of an effort to send a message to motorists along Loop 101 in Scottsdale, where drivers frequently exceed 100 mph.
Police also have arrested Darren Sucato, 27, of Scottsdale — who had paid four previous speeding violations — on suspicion of excessive speeding, reckless driving and endangerment, O’Halloran said. Sucato was clocked and photographed at 107 mph in his 2005 silver Pontiac Grand Prix at 11:02 p.m. May 23, according to O’Halloran.
The Hyundai that Pargo was driving was either leased or rented. It is owned by P.V. Holding in Virginia Beach, Va., O’Halloran said.
Pargo couldn’t be reached for comment.
Gauging by the e-mails sent from O’Halloran to other officers, Pargo’s arrest was a top priority.
“Please put your best guys on this one and let’s get him this week,” O’Halloran said in an e-mail to officer James Butera on May 22.
If convicted on all counts, Pargo could receive 12 points on his driver’s license — it takes eight points to get a license suspended — and he’ll be placed on a high-risk list among rental car agencies, O’Halloran said.
Tickets start at $157, but each of Pargo’s speeding tickets could cost $200 or more.
“There is no doubt that it is the same car and driver in all four incidents,” Bruce Kalin, the contract administrator for Scottsdale police who is overseeing the program, said in an e-mail.
There were 30,169 speeders clocked at 76 mph or more on Loop 101 during the warning phase of the photo enforcement program between Jan. 22 and Feb. 21. The number of speeders dipped nearly 30 percent the next month, when citations began.
However, in the last two months, the number of speeders has increased to nearly what it was during the warning phase, according to information from the city.
The rental company should make him pay to refurb the transaxle.
I used to track cars and went thru a professional driving school when I was in my 20s. :-)
MAN! Nice rod..... Must go like a bat outta...
Lucky you.
Get back in 'yer hybrid Nancy.
I-270, the connector from I-70 and the 495 beltway, runs at 80 to 85mph for the 18 hours a day it isn't jammed up. I wouldn't be surprised if there are 30,000 people over 75mph a DAY here.
The usual speed related wrecks there are people cresting a hill, slamming on the brakes when they see a state trooper, and then being rear ended.
Great system!
What year Vette? Mine is an LMB 2005 coup.
Quite a few FReepers here have already said "Go rent one. You'll see."
I had a Kia Rio up to 95 mph once (OK twice). The wife beside me didn't even notice.
Rental, of course.
The Kia I mean, not the wife!
If we're all telling top speed stories....
Mine was 120 in a rented Mitsubishi Galant, on Interstate 55 outside Jackson Miss., on the lonnnnnng drive from NYC to New Orleans.
It was a long, flat straightway as far as the eye can see, with absolutely no cars around, and I was BORED OUT OF MY MIND. So I said "How fast can this thing go...." It was thrilling, scary, and stupid. Now that I'm a father, I wouldn't do it again.
I had to work in Tempe a few months ago - flew in and rented a Dodge Ram pickup from Enterprise. Had a few hours to kill so I drove over to Karsten/ASU for 18 holes, and thought nothing of it. A week after I got home, I received a letter from the Tempe/ASU PD. A photo-radar ticket for doing 53mph in a 40mph zone. Darn thing cost me $152.00. Guilty as charged, but if it's gonna cost me that much money, I'd prefer to get the full treatment - red lights, siren, etc.
Thanks. I guess it's the "pride thang," and part of it is too piss off the gasoline-price cry-babies who don't have a clue what they're paying in all of their taxes, but whimper and moan over a nickel a gallon price increase.
Cheers.
When I was a teenager, my friend drove me to the neighboring town about 15 miles away in his street rod and he wanted to impress me with his engine mods. He drove between 120 and 145 MPH for most of the trip. I was more afraid than impressed, especially when we passed other cars going 70 MPH faster than them.
I once had my Mazda 323 pegged at (well) over 120 coming South out of Flint, MI at 2:00 AM on a road I drove at normal speeds often. There is a very gentle fork where the highway splits, left to Detroit or right to Ann Arbor. I nearly plowed into the guard rail, it came up so fast, and my tires squealed the whole way.
And this was on a road I knew like the back of my hand. 147 mph on a unfamiliar road would be suicide for me.
Now that, is funny.
What is it that you drive again?
And if you've read my other posts, you know I have little patience for people who drive slow in hybrids. You might also see what else I drive.
Mine easily broke 100 mph, it's a 2002 Elantra, standard transmission 5 forward gears. Hyundais have changed....of course, our 1988 Hyundai did too, when it was new, but it rattled. THAT damn thing ALWAYS rattled. New ones are much much nicer. ;-D
Yeah ain't... if you even THINK about going < 70 on the beltway during any kind of traffic, you better watch your rear view mirror closely.
6 lanes... 75-90mph I'd say, or maybe I'm just part of the proplem. LOL..
I love mine. It is a VERY fast car. I do love that 5 speed transmission. 2002, 120,000 miles right now, and NO problems (just lots of new tires).
Reminds me of an indescretion of my youth conducted on a new interstate spur in the heart of Kansas City at 1:00 AM in a Porsche. There are times when I look back on my first 30 years and marvel that I am still alive.
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