Influencer indicted after posting videos of himself speeding over 180 mph

17 October 2025

Brett Carlin. Credit : AZDPS; AZDPS Hiighway Patrol

Arizona-based influencer Brett Carlin, 27, has been indicted by a grand jury on four charges two counts of reckless driving and two counts of unlawful flight from a law enforcement vehicle after allegedly sharing videos of himself riding a motorcycle at speeds exceeding 180 miles per hour while evading police on state freeways.

According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the videos in question date back to July and August of this year and show Carlin weaving through traffic on Loop 101 while a police vehicle with sirens blaring pursues him. In some clips, the motorcycle’s speedometer is shown to exceed 100 mph, and in at least one chase he is said to have driven at over 180 mph.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety credits public tips from concerned drivers who recognized the dangerous behavior captured online. These tips, combined with law enforcement investigation, led to Carlin’s arrest on October 1. His bond has been set at $20,000.

In the indictment, Carlin faces two class 5 felony counts for unlawful flight from law enforcement and two misdemeanor counts of reckless driving. Maricopa County officials describe the acts as more than stunts they say Carlin “baited law enforcement into pursuits” by posting the daring videos intentionally.

Carlin’s defense is not detailed in available sources, though public statements emphasize that an indictment is merely an accusation and that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A court commissioner has required a secured appearance bond, meaning Carlin must post collateral to gain release while awaiting trial.

Observers note that the case underscores tensions around social media culture and performative daring. The fact that Carlin broadcast these high-risk maneuvers to a possibly wide audience raises questions about the incentives for online content and how they intersect with real-world laws and public safety.

Law enforcement agencies have decried the behavior as reckless and dangerous rather than entertaining. The Arizona Department of Public Safety issued a warning: “Reckless driving is not entertainment. It’s criminal.”

As Carlin’s case unfolds, it will test how courts balance social media expression, personal accountability, and public safety. For now, the indictment serves as a stark reminder that in the digital era some thrills may carry consequences far beyond likes and views.