An individual known for repeated offenses was captured on video driving in reverse along a bustling highway in Florida, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities reported that on March 13, numerous callers alerted them to a driver of a silver sedan traveling backward on SR 100, a major highway in northeastern Florida.
Footage reveals the silver car skillfully navigating in reverse around the median on this busy roadway.
William Murphy III explained to deputies that he believed reversing to an AutoZone store was his best course of action following an alleged mechanical failure.
The sheriff’s department’s Crime Center tracked the vehicle to a Panda Express parking lot. Deputies intercepted the sedan near SR 100 and Airport Road after it had managed to turn around and was correctly oriented.
The driver, identified as 47-year-old William Murphy III from Palm Coast, stated to officials that due to a mechanical problem with his car, he deemed it prudent to drive backward to the auto parts store.
“Except his mechanical issues evaporated when deputies got behind him … or was it in front of him?” the sheriff’s office said.
Florida man William Murphy III, a habitual offender with 10-plus prior convictions, claimed a mechanical issue forced him to drive backwards on SR 100 before his arrest. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Department)
In police worn body camera video, Murphy is heard attempting to explain away his reverse driving.
“I didn’t think that I was that bad … you know what I’m saying … I wasn’t even swerving or anything like that or driving fast,” Murphy told the deputy.
“You were driving backward on the road!” the deputy is heard replying.
Flagler County deputies arrested Palm Coast man William Murphy III for habitual driving while license suspended after he was caught on camera driving backwards on SR 100. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Department)
Deputies arrested Murphy for habitual driving while license suspended or revoked, saying he had 10-plus prior convictions.
Murphy was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and later released on $1,000 bond.
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