Police: Social Media Led To Driver Who Raced Down LIE At 100 MPH
MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police on Long Island have arrested a Bronx man for allegedly racing his BMW upwards of 100 mph on the Long Island Expressway.
As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, police said they were able to identify the suspect because a second BMW driver posted it all on social media. The shocking video had police and other drivers outraged.
The video, posted on YouTube and Facebook, showed at least two drivers speeding between lanes, careening in and out of the high-occupancy vehicle lane, and racing along the LIE mid-morning last week.
"He's operating that vehicle, by our estimates, in the neighborhood of 100 miles an hour, and he's not a professional driver," said Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter. "And if he makes a mistake, then people are going to die. That's depraved indifference."
From the social media postings, police said they tracked down the owner of the blue BMW – identified as Darran Anderson, 23 – outside his Bronx home. Police said they also confiscated his vehicle there.
"He's a poster child. If you look at his driving history, he has an open speeding ticket in the Bronx, and he has a number of other violations," Krumpter said.
Krumpter said Anderson is facing only misdemeanor charges because state lawmakers have been unable to agree on measures upgrading reckless speeding to a felony.
"He's really a dangerous person," said Millie Palumbo of Wantagh.
Meanwhile, Nassau County residents told CBS2 they are fed up with drivers who use the highway as a racetrack, and place other drivers at risk of a serious collision.
"It's terrible that other people will be involved in an accident because of his irresponsible way of living," Palumbo said.
Police said they believe at least three drivers were racing as they headed for a car show at a Nassau County dealership, including the passenger, who posted the video and can be seen briefly in the side mirror.
"That second individual, the one who is posting this video, we are very close to identifying him," said Nassau County Police Detective Sgt. Patrick Ryder.
Police said they will now move to seize Anderson's BMW under the county's forfeiture law – even as the search continues for the person who posted the high-speed highway race.
If convicted of reckless endangerment, Anderson could face up to a year in jail. His next court appearance is July 16.
