Georgia student's smiling mugshot after high-speed arrest sparks social media frenzy

MORGAN COUNTY, Ga. (TNND) — A Georgia woman is facing charges after a traffic stop turned into an arrest, with social media users chiming in with plenty of humor about the incident and her booking photo.

Earlier this month, a Georgia State Police trooper stated in an incident report that they spotted a 2021 Volvo XC40 speeding on Georgia State Route 24. The trooper confirmed that the SUV was traveling at 70 mph in a 55 mph zone using their radar. After initiating a stop, the driver, 22-year-old Lily Frances Stewart, was issued a citation for speeding and released to go.

Things didn't end there, just two minutes later, the trooper noticed Stewart's vehicle speeding again - this time at 84 mph, the reported stated. Concerned about the escalating speed and the recent citation, the trooper noted that they stopped Stewart again. When the trooper approached the SUV, the officer arrested Stewart, charging her with reckless driving, citing the risk to public safety from her "excessive speeding and repeated disregard for the law."

The state trooper noted that Stewart's actions posed a significant risk to herself and others on the road, especially given the multiple traffic violations in such a short period.

The incident raised questions about Stewart's behavior, leading to an outpouring of comments on social media.

One Facebook user joked on The Georgia Gazette's post, "The face you make when you know your dad is going to be impressed by how fast you were going."

Another user added, "Nah, the graduation smile on the mugshot is devious." Others suggested excuses like, "Your honor, she was on the way to rescue my cat from a burning tree."

Stewart’s mugshot, which is circulating online, has garnered attention for her smiling booking photo. Some people online wondered if she was already planning her next "speedy" move: "Bet she asks the DMV if they could use that as her updated driver's license pic."

In an exclusive interview with The New York Post, Stewart, who is a student at the University of Georgia, laughed off the attention and embraced the jokes surrounding her glamorous appearance.

Stewart explained in her interview that she was on her way to a friend's birthday party in Milledgeville, Georgia, and noted the timing of the stop played a role in her striking appearance.

"I was going to a friend’s birthday in Milledgeville, and I had just gotten ready not long before, so that’s maybe why my makeup and hair still looked good," she told The New York Post.

Stewart appeared to not let the attention bother her. "I think it’s hilarious. I don’t know what all the hype is about. I just took a mugshot and went on with my day,” she added. "I don’t let it get under my skin too much."