Viral video of tire-squealing dune buggy puts San Diego driver in jail
A smiling driver seen behind the wheel of his dune buggy in a viral YouTube video of a tire-squealing on- and off-road ride through San Diego may not be smiling now.
Blake Wilkey, 27, was sentenced Monday to 45 days in jail, plus three years of probation after pleading guilty to six charges including exhibition speed, failing to get a special event permit and four reckless driving counts, the San Diego Union Tribune reports.
He was originally charged with 26 counts over to the video he posted in January, which has now been viewed well over 1 million times.
Ordinarily, police need to see an infraction for the driver to be charged, city police told CBS News 8 in January. However, an investigation was undertaken, and the video apparently was deemed to be sufficient evidence.
In it, the heavily modified Volkswagen Beetle is repeatedly airborne as speeds up and down hills, runs onto embankments and over curbs, crosses the center line, skids on a freeway ramp and at least twice leaves visible rubber marks as the tires squeal during a sharp turn in an empty parking lot.
“I guess having [too] much fun on the streets of San Diego can cost you a lot more than you would think after its all said and done,” Wilkey said in a Facebook post last month as he urged others not to follow his example.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Man who posted video of 24-minute drive on 26-mile NYC loop is convicted of reckless endangerment”
ABAJournal.com: “See the video: Accused biker acquitted in case over 186-mph wild ride but loses motorcycle”
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