If you had access to a performance car when you were young(er), you probably did some stupid things with it. Heck, this writer certainly did.
However, driving a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat at 198 mph (318 km/h) on a public road? That brings a whole new meaning to the word ‘reckless’. It recently happened in North Carolina.
ABC 11 reports that 22-year-old William Jefferson is the proud owner of a 707 hp Hellcat and thought he’d take it to its performance limits under the cover of darkness. For some reason, he decided to film his antics and before long, the clip landed on YouTube, getting Jefferson is seriously hot water.
The incriminating clip shows Jefferson doing almost 130 mph (209 km/h) over the speed limit in Wake County on the US-1 near the Triangle Expressway. Footage also shows the 22-year-old doing more than 100 mph (160 km/h) in a 40 mph (64 km/h) zone and putting the camera up to his dash when it reads an extraordinary 198 mph.
As if that wasn’t enough, the video also shows Jefferson doing donuts in the muscle car.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, they were shown the footage by someone who filed a complaint against Jefferson. Before long, he was arrested and charged with street racing and reckless driving.
Jefferson’s actions are beyond stupid. While we here at Carscoops love fast cars just as much as anyone, driving at these speeds on public roads anywhere other than the Autobahn is just asking for trouble. While some experienced motorist may be able to control a car at such speeds, you have no control over what other drivers may do. In short, please don’t repeat these kinds of antics.