ST. PETERSBURG — A 25-year-old Manatee County man was arrested early Saturday morning after Florida Highway Patrol troopers say he was clocked traveling 117 mph on the Howard Frankland Bridge while driving with a suspended license.
According to an arrest affidavit, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper was conducting speed enforcement in the southbound lanes of Interstate 275 on the Howard Frankland Bridge at approximately 12:28 a.m. on June 14, 2026, when he observed a white sedan traveling at a high rate of speed and changing lanes.
Using a TruSpeed laser device, the trooper measured the vehicle’s speed at 117 mph in a posted 55-mph zone while the driver was passing another vehicle.
The vehicle was subsequently stopped, and the driver was identified as Jaden Ramir Benton, 25, of Palmetto. Troopers arrested Benton on a charge of Dangerous Excessive Speeding after determining he was traveling more than 50 mph over the posted speed limit.
During the traffic stop, troopers also discovered that Benton’s driver’s license had been suspended. The affidavit states the suspension was related to failure to pay a traffic fine or complete a required course.
Benton was additionally charged with Driving While License Suspended (First Offense).
He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail following the arrest.
The incident occurred on the southbound span of the Howard Frankland Bridge in St. Petersburg. No crashes or injuries were reported.