A joint operation between the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol resulted in 10 arrests and 30 traffic citations during a street racing crackdown Saturday evening.
- Operation Burnout, which ran from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., involved 15 WCSO deputies and four FHP officers who conducted 110 traffic stops along Highway 98 in Miramar Beach. Law enforcement targeted various unsafe driving behaviors, including street racing, speeding, and driving under the influence.
Six individuals were arrested for street racing (4 juveniles), with four vehicles impounded for 30 days. Additional arrests included one for driving under the influence, one for driving without a license, and one for reckless driving.
During the operation, a juvenile suspect reportedly driving his girlfriend’s mother’s car fled through the Silversands Outlet Mall parking lot before crashing into a WCSO deputy’s vehicle while attempting to exit onto Highway 98. No injuries were reported from the incident.
- The operation follows the implementation of Florida Senate Bill 1764, which took effect July 1, 2024, establishing stricter penalties for street racing and roadway takeovers. The enforcement effort addressed increased street racing activity reported in southern Walton County in recent months, according to the WCSO.
“Drivers be warned, if you are caught racing on Walton County roadways you will be without your vehicle for a month,” Sheriff Michael Adkinson said. He thanked the Florida Highway Patrol for their assistance in the operation.
Among those arrested was a 17-year-old from Fort Walton Beach, who faces charges of fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, and racing on a public highway. Other arrests included multiple Fort Walton Beach and Miramar Beach residents ranging in age from 17 to 48 years old.
The operation also resulted in arrests for various offenses including DUI, driving without a license, and additional street racing charges, with some individuals charged as passengers in racing vehicles.
