Clearwater — An 18-year-old Clearwater man was arrested early Tuesday after police said he was driving nearly 130 mph on U.S. Highway 19.
According to an arrest affidavit filed by the Clearwater Police Department, Christopher Leonel Garcia-Caminos, 18, was charged with dangerous excessive speeding, a second-degree misdemeanor under Florida Statutes.
The arrest occurred at approximately 3:01 a.m. on Feb. 17, 2026, on southbound U.S. Highway 19 near the intersection of Sunset Point Road and State Road 590.
An officer conducting speed enforcement in the southbound lanes observed a vehicle traveling in the median lane and visually estimated its speed at 120-130 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. The officer reported his radar unit displayed a reading of 129 mph, according to the affidavit.
Post-Miranda, Garcia-Caminos told the officer he had only a few minutes left on his work break, was driving fast because a McDonald’s took too long to prepare his food, and wanted to return to work on time. He stated he believed he was traveling about 100 mph.
Garcia-Caminos was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County Jail. Bond was set at $150.