Reckless driver arrested

A 22-year-old Australian man was arrested Wednesday night for speeding and recklessly passing vehicles on U.S. 1.

Samy Karim Daim of Sydney, Australia was charged with reckless driving. He was also given a notice to appear in court for traveling 43 mph above the posted speed limit.

Middle Keys Deputy Corbin Hradecky was on patrol in Marathon at approximately 9 p.m. when he received a be-on-the-lookout alert for a lightly colored Jeep with no headlights on traveling north on U.S. 1 at a high rate of speed and dangerously passing other motorists. The Jeep was on the Seven Mile Bridge when the BOLO was reported.

Deputy Hradecky spotted the suspect Jeep shortly thereafter still traveling north on U.S. 1 near 20th Street. The speed limit is 35 mph and the Jeep was traveling 78 mph. Deputy Hradecky conducted a traffic stop. Deputy Hradecky asked the driver, identified as Daim, why he was traveling so fast and Daim responded that he it was late and he wanted to get to Miami.

Detective Matthew Corey then contacted Deputy Hradecky. Detective Corey stated he was in his personal vehicle on the Seven Mile Bridge when he saw the Jeep a long line of cars at a high rate of speed. Detective Corey stated the Jeep came within 200 feet of striking another vehicle head-on. Detective Corey stated other drivers had to slow to well below the speed limit to avoid a potential crash with the Jeep.

Daim was taken to jail.

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