A viral video shows a driver speeding, claiming to be going 130 mph past a State Highway Patrol trooper on what looks like Interstate 440 in Raleigh.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said it is aware of the video of a person driving a BMW.

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"The driving captured in this video was a willful attempt to put others at risk on the roadways of our state and something that we will not tolerate,” said commander of the State Highway Patrol, Colonel Freddy Johnson, Jr. 

While the video was deleted by whoever posted it, troopers identified the driver in the video as 18-year-old Usman Raoufi, 18, of Cary, and seized his BMW.

Troopers also charged Raoufi with the following:

  • Prearranged speed competition
    • Speeding
      • Displaying fictitious registration
        • Operating a vehicle with no insurance
          • Failure to register

            “I am proud of the great work by our members to investigate this callous behavior and to bring the responsible person before the judicial system," Johnson said. "We are committed to our lifesaving mission, and this is just another example of the great work done by members of our State Highway Patrol.”

            Reckless driving as depicted in the video could be deadly for others on the road, and state lawmakers are trying to make the penalties stronger.

            In June 2021, police said a 16-year-old driver was driving 86 mph in a 30-mph zone when he hit and killed Armin Roshdi, a 49-year-old driving home on Morrisville Parkway from his job at Target.

            Also in June 2021, 6-year-old Liam Lagunas was killed in Gaston County when a car street racing smashed into the vehicle his dad was driving.

            House Bill 246, named “Liam's Law,” aims to change that.

            "They lost control. One vehicle hit the other vehicle, lost control, hit the median and basically demolished the car that Liam was riding in,” said state House Rep. John Torbett, R-Gaston.

            “Liam’s Law” proposes felony charges if someone is seriously injured or killed street racing. It would raise penalties for reckless driving causing serious injuries and proposes stronger penalties for hit-and-run crashes. It includes the offenders permanently losing their driver license.

            Troopers said additional videos posted by Raoufi to social media are also being investigated and more charges are pending.