Wrong-way driver stopped in Mesa was going 90 mph, had his headlights off, DPS says

MESA, AZ (3TV/CBS5) — A wrong-way driver was reportedly going 90 miles per hour and had his headlights off on the U.S. 60 in Mesa before he was arrested on Tuesday night. The Department of Public Safety says just before 10 p.m., 33-year-old Justin Gene Lum was spotted by multiple witnesses going east on the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 near 44th Street. He reportedly continued driving his Mazda sedan, with the headlights off, the wrong way onto the U.S. 60.

DPS says Lum finally stopped in the median at Higley Drive after a trooper was able to pull up next to him to get his attention. The Scottsdale resident got out of his car and was taken into custody. According to court documents, Lum told the trooper that he’s on the autism spectrum and turned his headlights off because “he did not want to spook” the other drivers coming toward him. Lum also reportedly knew he was driving the wrong way and going 90 miles per hour. DPS says Lum was not impaired at the time.

Lum was booked into jail on charges of reckless driving, criminal speed and wrong way on a controlled access highway. Along with the charges, DPS says his license will also be re-evaluated.

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