DETROIT (WWJ) - When troopers clocked a motorcyclist going 90 mph in a 35 mph zone Thursday night, they didn't expect to find out he was a convicted felon and in possession of a handgun.
But Michigan State Police said that's what troopers discovered after they tagged a man going almost three times over the speed limit near Livernois and Tireman in Detroit around 9:50 p.m. Thursday.
"Unfortunately I'd like to say we are surprised by that, but we are not," MSP Lt. Mike Shaw told FOX 2 about the excessive speed. "We all think that we are the best drivers, Nascar, Motocross competitors, but quite honestly people going those speeds are the worst drivers we come across."
Troopers pulled the motorcyclist over and approached the 46-year-old man when he admitted to having a handgun. Troopers found the firearm in the waistband of the man's jeans and confiscated it.
Shaw told FOX 2 that while keeping roads safe for drivers is a big priority, traffic stops also help catch other illegal activity, like keeping guns off the street and out of the wrong hands.
"One thing about traffic enforcement is that bad guys drive too," he said. "This guy just happened to be a convicted felon and had a handgun in his waistband."
Troopers arrested the man for reckless driving, a concealed weapon, and felon in possession of a handgun. The case was turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office pending review.
As far as speeding goes, Shaw said troopers are regularly encountering drivers going over 100 mph with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The Lt. said excessive speed is causing the "highest amount of fatalities we have seen in the last 15 years."