21-year-old accused of driving 105 mph on State Road 82 in Lee County, arrested for super speeding

Lee County deputies arrested 21-year-old Jovensky Maitre on Wednesday afternoon after he was accused of driving a Chevrolet Camaro up to 105 mph in a 55 mph zone on State Road 82 between Gateway and Lehigh Acres near Ray Avenue South.

Deputies said Maitre was reportedly dangerously switching lanes and passing multiple cars around 2 p.m., raising concerns among other drivers on the heavily used route.

“It’s almost every day! It almost feels natural, even though it’s not supposed to be,” Manny Mejia, a Lehigh Acres resident, said.

Drivers like Edgar Palacios shared their concerns about speeding, recounting a near-crash experience.

“Driving and speeding, and if you hit somebody, you know, God forbid you, everyone around them too is going to be affected,” Palacios said.

Palacios added that his own close call with a speeding driver changed his habits.

“After that time that happened to me, I haven’t, I haven’t sped anymore because I almost met my creator,” he said.

The arrest comes after one year of Florida’s super speeder law being in effect.

Gulf Coast News reported Wednesday that the Florida Highway Patrol has charged 333 people under the law, while the Lee County Sheriff’s Office has stopped nearly 75 drivers, some going 50 mph over the limit and others exceeding 100 mph.

Palacios said increased law enforcement presence could help address the issue.

“More police around here to stop people when they’re driving fast. That’ll be great for the community. You know, slowing down the pace a little bit because everyone’s going fast,” he said.

Mejia said he still sees super speeders often on the road, even with the law in place.

“It’s just a common occurrence that you have to be very, very cautious with, really,” Mejia said.

Maitre is now out of the Lee County Jail on bond.