LEESBURG, FLORIDA – An 85-year-old Florida man was arrested last week after deputies say he was caught street racing a Corvette while driving his Nissan sports car at 110 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone along U.S. Highway 27 in Lake County.
A Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy traveling south on U.S. 27 near County Road 33 around 11:30 p.m. on June 12 spotted a red Corvette and a gray Nissan 350Z speeding side by side. Using radar, the deputy clocked the Corvette at 125 mph and the Nissan at 110 mph, both well over triple the posted speed limit.
Both Drivers Pulled Over Separately Near County Line
Deputies conducted separate traffic stops on the two vehicles near State Road 48. The Nissan’s driver was identified as 85-year-old William Bosworth of Leesburg, while the Corvette driver was identified as 57-year-old Philip Signorino of Titusville. Body camera footage captured the interaction between Bosworth and the deputy who pulled him over.
Bosworth denied racing, telling the deputy the Corvette driver had swerved toward him and that he was simply reacting to avoid a problem. When asked about his speed, Bosworth, who reportedly mentioned having past experience as a drag racer, told deputies he was simply “out having a little ride in my favorite car.” Reports indicate he was smoking a cigarillo at the time he was pulled over and remained calm throughout the stop, fully complying when asked to step out of the vehicle.
Corvette Driver Denied Race, Then Changed His Story
Signorino similarly denied racing or even knowing Bosworth, going so far as to claim his Corvette wasn’t capable of reaching 125 mph. That story reportedly shifted once the two men arrived at the Lake County Jail for booking, where Signorino was overheard telling detention staff he had been driving “the one that won, the Corvette,” contradicting his earlier denial.
Both Bosworth and Signorino were charged with driving a vehicle in a race on a highway and dangerous excessive speeding, a charge that applies when a driver exceeds the posted limit by 50 mph or more.
Stay updated for the latest news as this story develops.
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