Oz vacation with a side of overentitled...

Woman arrested in speeding case after Australian vacation

by Senta Scarborough - Jul. 31, 2008 04:13 PM
The Arizona Republic

A 21-year-old Mesa woman wanted on suspicion of criminal speeding went on an Australian vacation rather than turn herself in to state authorities after she was clocked going 103 mph on the Loop 101 in May, officials said.

Britnee Bristow was arrested Wednesday morning by a Department of Public Safety officer at Sky Harbor International Airport after getting off a flight from Australia.

Bristow was booked into the Scottsdale City Jail on suspicion of criminal speeding and reckless driving.

On May 28, DPS photo enforcement cameras recorded her driving a 2001 Lexus at more than 100 mph on the Loop 101 at 1:51 p.m., officials said. The posted speed limit is 65 mph.

DPS made several requests for Bristow to surrender to authorities. Bristow told officers she was "going to Australia and this was not going to ruin her dream," officials said.

"All Ms. Bristow had to do was cooperate so she could face the charges against her. Instead, she chose to stall and make it very difficult for us to work with her because the charges she faces conflicted with her planned vacation," said Jeffrey Jacobs, of the DPS photo enforcement unit. "When we finally asked her to turn herself in as soon as she returned from vacation, she was still uncooperative and couldn't commit to doing so over her concern that she would have 'jet lag.' "