Deputy McLaughlin says 30-year-old Omar Ahmed Soliman was stopped on Aug. 6 after passing a patrol car at 117 mph on northbound I-95. Soliman allegedly told officers he was rushing to a Buc-ee's restroom that was still about 60 miles away. He was booked on misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and exceeding the speed limit by 100+ mph, held on $1,000 total bond, and released the next day.
Caught at 117 MPH: Florida Man Says He Was Racing 60 Miles to a Buc-ee's Bathroom
Photo Brevard County Sheriff's Office
A Brevard County deputy says a Florida driver was clocked at 117 mph and told officers he was hurrying to a Buc-ee's restroom that was still roughly 60 miles away. The traffic stop ended with misdemeanor charges, a night in the county jail and plenty of online commentary.
What Happened
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office says Deputy McLaughlin was conducting traffic enforcement on northbound I-95 on Aug. 6 when 30-year-old Omar Ahmed Soliman passed his patrol vehicle at 117 mph. The deputy reported that Soliman abruptly changed lanes and tailgated other drivers before being pulled over.
When asked why he was driving so fast, Soliman allegedly told the deputy he was trying to reach a Buc-ee's to use the restroom. Sheriff Wayne Ivey — who has frequently praised the chain's tidy facilities — pointed out the problem with that explanation: the Buc-ee's Soliman named was about 60 miles away.
Booking And Charges
Brevard County booking records show Soliman was processed at 5:31 p.m. on Aug. 6 and booked on misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and exceeding the speed limit by 100 mph or more. Bond was set at $500 per charge, for a total of $1,000. Soliman was released from custody the following day, Aug. 7.
The sheriff's office said Soliman was taken to the county jail — jokingly referred to by Ivey as "Ivey's Iron Bar Lodge" — and noted that, while the jail has restrooms, they are "not quite as nice" as Buc-ee's and lack the chain's snack offerings.
Public Reaction
The odd explanation and long distance to the store sparked a lively online response. Commenters debated whether there were closer alternatives (gas stations, fast-food restaurants, Wawa) and joked about missing Buc-ee's staples like brisket sandwiches and Beaver Nuggets. One user said she had once been ticketed while pregnant and needing a restroom; others quipped that at 117 mph, a 60-mile drive would take only about 30 minutes.
Ultimately, authorities say the incident ended with two misdemeanor charges, $1,000 in bonds and an overnight stay in custody — not a stop at Buc-ee's.
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