Carson Zorn
•4/30/2026

A man was arrested on April 25 after being accused of driving more than 50 mph over the speed limit on the Gilchrist Bridge in Punta Gorda.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office arrest report, a deputy was conducting traffic enforcement on the Gilchrist Bridge at around 10:45 p.m. when they saw a vehicle driving towards them at what appeared to be a faster speed than the speed limit.
The deputy used their radar and noted that the vehicle's speed was 96 mph in a 45 mph zone, the report said.
The deputy called out the make and model of the vehicle over the radio, and a patrol unit conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.
The driver was identified as Louis Labarbera, 25, the report said.
Labarbera was arrested and faces a charge of excessive speeding at more than 50 mph over the speed limit.
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