A Leesburg man with a suspended license claimed a family illness forced him to drive, even when he knew it was wrong.
A Leesburg police officer was on traffic patrol late Sunday afternoon when he saw a Nissan sedan moving at a high speed at U.S. Hwy. 441 and North Lake Avenue. When the officer ran a laser speed check, it showed that the Nissan was traveling 74 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone.
The officer activated his emergency lights and stopped the Nissan at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 441 and Newell Hill Road. When the officer made contact with the driver, 25-year-old Octavus Jaleel Potts, Potts spontaneously told the officer that, “I know I shouldn’t be driving.” He went on to tell the officer that he knew his license was suspended, but a family member was in the hospital.
A records check showed that Potts has several license suspensions and two prior driving while suspended convictions as well as a DUI conviction.
Potts was arrested last month and claimed he had gone to a cemetery to visit his dead grandparents.
Potts was booked at the Leesburg Police Station for felony driving while suspended and was given a speeding ticket. He was transported to the Lake Count Jail where bond was set at $10,000.
