INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 25-year-old man was jailed after deputies clocked him traveling more than 100 mph as he raced another vehicle along U.S. 1 last weekend. The man, identified as Zackary Robert Nappi, told deputies, “I’m obviously being a dumb(expletive), people trying to race.”
Deputies arrested Nappi, of the 200 block of 13th Lane, Vero Beach, on charges of racing on a highway and driving under the influence. Nappi was released Saturday from the Indian River County Jail on a $1,500 bond.
An Indian River County sheriff’s deputy was on patrol shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday when he heard a loud exhaust from a vehicle headed southbound on Indian River Boulevard toward 4th Street. The deputy drove to 4th Street and spotted a black 2014 Chevrolet Silverado along with a sports utility vehicle turn onto southbound U.S. 1, reports show.
The Chevy’s driver was traveling 70 mph in a 40-mph zone, reports show. The Chevy’s speed increased to 105 mph, while the SUV’s speed reached 95 mph.
“The Chevy floored the gas pedal and crossed over both lanes to his left and right. His exhaust was emitting a cloud of black smoke,” the deputy said in the arrest report. “The Chevy appeared to be racing the SUV that was next to him because the SUV was attempting to match his rising speeds as they drove side by side.”
Other vehicles were on the roadway during the speed race, sheriff’s officials said.
The deputy activated his emergency lights and sirens on his patrol car and stopped the Chevy. Deputies said the driver, Nappi, smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot, watery eyes.
Deputies found five grams of marijuana inside Nappi’s vehicle, reports show. Nappi told deputies he was at a bar earlier and had a few alcoholic drinks, sheriff’s officials said.
Deputies arrested Nappi and booked him into the county jail. Details on Nappi’s arraignment were not immediately available.
The report did not state what happened to the driver of the SUV.
