My ride gets around 13. Do I care?
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.
"only hit 139"
That's a dime more than I've driven...
Damn fine car. The engine is strong - no BMW six cylinder, but way better gas mileage, and broad torque curve. The five speed shifter is the best shifter I've ever owned.
So far not a single flaw in it, but I'm just at 50,000 miles so far, so that doesn't mean much. I bought it new off the lot, for $9,900. Outstanding deal.
I've tapped the 155mph electronic limiter in my 2000 XKR; my buddy's done the same in his 2003 Mustang Cobra.
Your SS 454 was grossly overrated in terms of power output, IMHO, as were almost all the muscle cars. The XKR easily stomps every stock muscle car I've ever seen on the drag strip or on the road.
Ergo, this guy may be able beat this and prove the radar gun wasn't calibrated as 147mph is literally impossible.
No,I didn't read in your post that you actually *do* 140MPH.Sorry if that's how my response seemed to you.
The point I was trying to make was that there are no circumstances under which I would even consider doing that speed...regardless of equipment,conditions,etc,etc.
230mph for me - on a motorcycle.
I drive this section of 101 between scottsdale and phoenix everyday back and forth between work. When the cameras were first put into action earlier this year,there used to be a lot of 'false positive' flashes. I got 'flashed once myself doing 60mph !
I had a Hyundai - -it wouldn't go over 75 mph unless you pushed it over a cliff....
what kind of fuel was he using????
It felt not that bad at all. You're right. There were 9 other cars on the track, however, which made it somewhat hectic. We had to go to "racing school" in the morning and then allowed to take 10 laps. The car didn't shimmy or shake at all and with the banking it's like you're on rails. Still, going 154 with no windows (race car) you definitely know you are moving.
Possibly; there's been some discussion of this on other boards, and one guy out there has a GPS-confirmed top speed of 142mph actual on his Sonata.
120 through Nevada, with the cruise control on.
(Valentine radar detector)
I missed the fact that it was a rental. Even more so as you say.
I'd be shocked if it even did 100.
Regular. Pre-98 Hyundais are a sick joke, and they didn't become good cars until 2000. After 2000, they're world class cars, and with the new Sonata and Azera, they're right up there with Honda and Toyota.
If I remember correctly, they not only charged him with speeding, reckless endangerment, and attempting to elude the police, but they also charged him with attempted suicide.
He not only violtated state law, he violated laws of physics.
In a muscle car, 140 ain't a big deal... I've done 160. But a Hyundai is a POS... I can't see how he could have kept the thing from flipping. The steering column must have been shaking like a paint mixer.
Go rent one and try it; you might be surprised.
My ride gets around 13. Do I care?
I'd bet he wasn't going any faster than 135 mph, and those cameras aren't designed to measure speeds that high. Hence the false measurement of 147 mph. I don't think that car can go that fast, although we do get some strong winds in Phoenix occasionally and he might have caught a helping wind.
Like to see them prove he was driving.
Apparently identification of the individual is one of the best ways to beat a photo ticket.
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