‘Having a little joyride’: Cigarillo-smoking 85-year-old busted for racing a Corvette in his ‘favorite’ Nissan sports car, going 110 mph in 45 zone, cops say

An 85-year-old Florida man is facing criminal charges after deputies say he was caught racing another sports car at more than twice the posted speed limit on a roadway in Lake County. The unusual case gained widespread attention after body-camera footage captured the elderly driver calmly explaining that he was simply “having a little ride” in what he described as his favorite car.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred late at night on June 12 in the Leesburg area of Central Florida. Authorities allege that two high-performance vehicles were engaged in a street race when a deputy observed them traveling at extremely dangerous speeds along U.S. Highway 27 near County Road 33.

Deputy Spots Two Sports Cars Traveling at Extreme Speeds

Investigators said a deputy was monitoring traffic around 11:40 p.m. when he noticed two vehicles appearing to race one another along the roadway. Using radar equipment, the deputy allegedly recorded a red Chevrolet Corvette traveling at 125 miles per hour while a gray Nissan sports car reached approximately 110 miles per hour.

Both vehicles were reportedly traveling in a zone where the posted speed limit was just 45 miles per hour.

Authorities say the speeds were more than double the legal limit and created a significant risk for other motorists using the roadway at the time.

Elderly Driver Identified as William Bosworth

Deputies stopped the gray Nissan and identified the driver as 85-year-old William Bosworth. According to the arrest affidavit, Bosworth was the individual behind the wheel of the vehicle that had been clocked at 110 mph.

Body-camera footage released following the arrest showed the interaction between Bosworth and the deputy who conducted the traffic stop. The video quickly attracted attention because of Bosworth’s age and his casual explanation for the alleged speeding incident.

Driver Denies Racing Corvette

When confronted about allegedly participating in a street race, Bosworth denied the accusation.

According to authorities, Bosworth told the deputy that the driver of the Corvette had swerved toward him. He claimed his high speed was a reaction to that situation rather than an attempt to race.

“No, that guy, he swerved at me,” Bosworth reportedly told the deputy.

He further explained that he accelerated because he wanted to distance himself from the other vehicle before an accident could occur.

“I Wanted to Get Away From Him”

Bosworth maintained that his actions were motivated by safety concerns rather than competition.

According to the arrest report, he told the deputy that he reached 110 mph “only because he swerved at me.”

Bosworth allegedly continued by saying that he “wanted to get away from him before we caused a problem.”

Deputies, however, determined that sufficient evidence existed to support allegations that the vehicles had been engaged in a race.

Driver Says He Was Having a Ride in His Favorite Car

One of the most talked-about moments from the traffic stop occurred when Bosworth attempted to explain why he was driving so fast.

According to body-camera footage and the arrest affidavit, Bosworth insisted that he was not racing.

Instead, he described himself as being out for a leisurely drive.

“I was out having a little ride in my favorite car,” Bosworth reportedly told the deputy.

The statement quickly became the defining quote of the case as news outlets and social media users reacted to the unusual circumstances surrounding the arrest.

Deputies Order Bosworth Out of the Vehicle

After the stop, deputies instructed Bosworth to exit the Nissan sports car.

Authorities said he complied with all commands given by law enforcement officers.

Body-camera footage shows Bosworth stepping out of the vehicle and cooperating with deputies throughout the encounter.

Investigators noted that there were no reports of resistance during the arrest process.

Charges Filed Following Arrest

Following the investigation, Bosworth was taken into custody and charged with two offenses.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the charges include:

• Driving in a vehicle race.
• Dangerous excessive speeding.

The allegations stem from the deputy’s observations, radar readings, and evidence collected during the traffic stop.

Why Authorities Consider Street Racing So Dangerous

Law enforcement officials regularly warn that street racing poses serious risks to both participants and innocent drivers.

At speeds exceeding 100 mph, reaction times are significantly reduced, and the likelihood of a fatal collision increases dramatically. Officials say that excessive speed can make it nearly impossible for drivers to avoid hazards, stop safely, or maintain control of a vehicle.

In this case, deputies alleged that both sports cars were traveling at extraordinarily high speeds on a public roadway where other motorists could have been present.

Public Reaction Focuses on Driver’s Age

The case generated considerable public attention because of Bosworth’s age. Street-racing arrests frequently involve younger drivers, making the arrest of an 85-year-old man particularly unusual.

Many online reactions focused on the contrast between Bosworth’s age and the performance-oriented nature of the Nissan sports car he was driving. Others highlighted his memorable explanation that he was simply enjoying a ride in his favorite vehicle.

Despite the public fascination with the circumstances, authorities emphasized that the investigation centered on the alleged conduct behind the wheel rather than the driver’s age.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Bosworth now faces legal proceedings related to the charges filed against him. Court records will ultimately determine the outcome of the case and whether prosecutors pursue the allegations of street racing and dangerous excessive speeding.

For now, the incident stands as one of the more unusual traffic cases reported in Florida this year, involving an 85-year-old driver, a high-speed encounter with a Corvette, and a nighttime traffic stop that ended with an arrest after deputies say speeds reached as high as 110 mph in a 45-mph zone. Based on investigators’ allegations, what Bosworth described as “having a little ride” in his favorite car ultimately resulted in criminal charges and widespread national attention.