Lakeland - The driver of a speeding sports car being pursued by a Polk County deputy sheriff was killed Saturday when his red Pontiac Fiero crossed the center lane of North Galloway Road and crashed into another vehicle, injuring its driver.

Samuel Lugo, 34, of Lakeland was killed on impact. Police said he had an extensive criminal record in Polk and Orange counties, including charges of reckless driving, fleeing to elude, battery on a police officer and armed robbery. He was acquitted on a first-degree murder charge in December, and an accessory-to-murder charge was dropped in June, authorities said.

Kelly Thornton, the driver of the other car, was treated at Lakeland Regional Medical Center and released.

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper who witnessed the accident clocked the speeding car at 84 mph in a 45 mph zone just before 2 p.m. The deputy went after the car when it sped through a radar checkpoint.

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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/southwest/orl-cfbriefs19_507aug19,0,3121831.story

Swanny note : Whew, Why wasn't some common sense used? How many cameras did this guy pass through and couldn't a helicoptor  have been called out? I know in my area of Florida , they call the helicoptors out for any little infraction. One summer the helicoptors circled for Hours. So long that I called the Law Enforcement to make sure there wasn't a mad man on the loose.

I found out the next day it was about a person who purchased prescription drugs on a fake prescription. Hey, at least that person PAID for the drugs. It could have been a lot worse and then I wondered why the Pharmacy didn't hold the person instead of wasting all those resources. I thought...why doesn't anyone think?

So when I see bad judgement being used AGAIN in this case. They  apparently "knew" the guy. It  doesn't say he stole the vehicle.

 Lakeland isn't THAT big!