KENNEWICK, WA – A 21-year-old driver was arrested Monday morning after being caught speeding on Canal Drive while on her way to pay a previous speeding ticket.

According to the Kennewick Police Department, a traffic officer observed a sedan illegally passing another vehicle in the oncoming lane just after 9 a.m. Radar confirmed the car was traveling 74 mph in a 35 mph zone. The driver, identified as Jasmin Hernandez, was stopped and arrested for reckless driving.

Police said Hernandez admitted she was on her way to the courthouse to pay for a speeding citation she received just 17 days earlier, which had also been issued by a traffic unit officer. In addition to the reckless driving arrest, she was cited for driving without insurance and operating a vehicle without a valid license.

Authorities emphasized the dangers of extreme speeding, especially when vehicles cross into oncoming traffic lanes. National safety studies show repeat offenders are more likely to be involved in serious and fatal crashes.

Kennewick police said the case highlights the importance of proactive traffic enforcement to protect public safety.