ORLANDO, Fla. — Cutting down on street racing is one of Orange County Sheriff John Mina’s legislative priorities for this year.

Back in November, Mina announced he wanted higher penalties, including making someone's second offense a felony and increasing fines.

What You Need To Know

  • The Orange County Sheriff’s Office highlighted its efforts to cut down on street racing. In 2023, the agency made 157 arrests, issued more than 1,200 citations and seized 54 vehicles related to danger and illegal street racing

  • Back in November, Sheriff John Mina announced increasing penalties for street racing as a legislative priority. He wants to make someone’s second offense a felony and increase fines

  • Laurie Broadus lost her son Shawn 18 years ago to street racing. From that point on, she didn’t want any parent to go through what she went through

Recent arrests of two men allegedly going 199 miles per hour on the Florida Turnpike underscore the severity of the issue.

In 2023, the agency made 157 arrests, issued more than 1,200 citations and seized 54 vehicles related to dangerous and illegal street racing.

Laurie Broadus, who lost her son Shawn 18 years ago to street racing, hopes the crackdown continues. She has been on a mission to prevent other parents from experiencing her tragedy.

She started her own healing journey through the butterflies. It’s something she’s been doing for 15 years.

“I started raising butterflies for my grief, to lift others up. It’s a transformation,” said Broadus.

She also started a non-profit called Mothers Against Racing on the Street, also known as M.A.R.S.

Back in 2010, Broadus advocated for harsher punishments for drivers caught street-racing. It passed. 

However, 14 years later, street racing still occurs across Orange County.

“It just breaks my heart because they have no clue. They can kill somebody, they can kill themselves,” said Broadus.