A 64-year-old resident of Indian River County is facing felony charges after allegedly leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit through Sebastian and Wabasso, reaching speeds of 113 mph. The incident, which occurred late on the night of January 6, involved a multi-stage chase that began on U.S. 1 and concluded at a private residence in a gated community south of Wabasso Beach Park.
Carmen Michael Romano was taken into custody following the pursuit. According to arrest records, he has been charged with felony fleeing and eluding law enforcement with active lights and sirens, misdemeanor dangerous excessive speeding, and misdemeanor obstructing an officer without violence.
The events unfolded around 11 p.m. when a Sebastian police officer observed a black Honda SUV traveling south on U.S. 1. The vehicle was reportedly passing other cars and was clocked by two separate radar devices traveling at speeds of 112 mph and 113 mph in a zone designated for 35 mph.
The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop near the intersection of U.S. 1 and Schumann Drive, activating emergency lights and sirens. While the vehicle initially slowed down, the arrest report states that the driver then accelerated, continuing south on U.S. 1. During this portion of the pursuit, the SUV allegedly reached 100 mph in a 50-mph zone.
The chase took an erratic turn when the vehicle pulled into a Publix parking lot and reportedly drove in circles before exiting onto Barber Street. The driver then traveled east in the westbound lane—driving against traffic—before turning south back onto U.S. 1 and eventually heading east over the Wabasso Bridge.
Additional officers joined the pursuit as the vehicle crossed onto the barrier island. Police paced the SUV traveling at 70 mph in a 40-mph zone along State Road A1A. The pursuit came to an end when the driver turned into the Coral Stone gated community, located south of Wabasso Beach Park. Officers observed the driver entering a security code to access the neighborhood.
Law enforcement located the Honda SUV parked outside a home in the 1400 block of Coral Oak Lane. Officers observed Romano walking toward the residence and ordered him to stop. According to the police report, Romano initially refused to comply, stating, “I live here,” before eventually adhering to commands to get on the ground.
When asked why he didn’t stop with three police vehicles using lights and sirens, according to the report, Romano said he was just out for a drive and didn’t want to stop.
Romano was booked into the Indian River County Jail. As of January 9, he remained in custody with bail set at $30,500.
This incident highlights the enforcement of Florida’s “super speeder” law, which went into effect on July 1. The statute specifically targets drivers traveling 50 mph or more over the posted speed limit or those driving over 100 mph in a manner that endangers public safety. Penalties under this law can include mandatory court hearings, significant fines, and potential jail time.
