Man who streamed 114-mph drive had suspended license

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (CBS) — Police say a Rhode Island man who streamed himself on Facebook Live driving 114 mph before crashing into a garbage truck and a concrete barrier was driving with a suspended license.

State police say 20-year-old Onasi Olio-Rojas, of Pawtucket, lost control Wednesday on U.S. Route 6 in Providence.

The video posted on Olio-Rojas’ Facebook page shows him driving 114 mph and weaving through traffic. Police confirmed its authenticity.

“He has his camera in his right hand, videotaping himself as he’s driving, has no seatbelt on, he starts to hit speeds of 90 miles an hour which increases to 100 miles an hour, then you see several erratic lane changes where he goes from the high-speed lane to the low-speed lane, into the breakdown lane, in and out of traffic,” said Providence Capt. John Allen, CBS affiliate WPRI reports.

Rojas was taken to Rhode Island Hospital following the crash. At last check, he was in fair condition.

State police said Rojas will be arraigned from his hospital bed once he’s conscious and alert.

“Mr. Rojas just has a blatant disregard for anyone else on the road,” said Allen.

State police asked Facebook for an official copy of the video so it can be used as evidence in court, he explained. “I mean, the video makes the case. The independent witnesses certainly help, but nothing beats actually watching it on the video.”

Rojas has several previous traffic violations, according to Allen, including a citation for texting while driving.

The growing trend among young drivers, who use Facebook and Snapchat, recording themselves at dangerous speeds left many Southwest Florida parents stunned.

The Southwest Florida Safety Council suggests that parents tell teens to place their phones out of reach while driving and to silence their ringers.

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