If you needed more proof that powersports vehicles are insanely capable—and terrifying in the wrong hands—look no further than Cape Coral’s latest “Florida Man” saga.
On the evening of April 20, 44-year-old Damion Scott Stafford decided it would be a good idea to mix alcohol, threats, a knife, and a red Yamaha ATV into one unforgettable mess. Police were originally called out for a disturbance involving weapons. By the time they got there, Stafford had already dipped—tearing off into the night on his quad, shirtless and reportedly ready for war.
Officers spotted him soon enough. The chase that followed sounds like it came straight from a Grand Theft Auto mission: no headlights, speeds topping 80 mph, weaving through residential neighborhoods for nearly 30 miles.
Yep, you read that right. 30 miles.
At one point, Stafford even made finger guns at the cops, flipped them off, and pulled a real knife from his pocket, dropping it mid-ride like a bad magic trick. Truly a class act.
It all finally ended when he tried to take a turn a little too hot and crashed into an embankment. Even after wrecking, Stafford didn’t go down easy. In fact, a K-9 even had to help persuade him. Turns out, he was very drunk, with a blood alcohol level of 0.2 percent (more than twice the legal limit). He now faces a laundry list of charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and DUI.
Now, here’s where we get serious for a second: powersports vehicles like ATVs, dirt bikes, and side-by-sides are incredible machines. They’re built to blast across sand dunes, carve up trails, and have a ton of fun doing it. They’re tough, fast, and—in the right hands—an absolute blast.
But when you throw alcohol, a weapon, and reckless intent into the mix? That same fun machine turns into a two-wheeled missile capable of causing massive damage. It’s like handing the keys of a rally car to someone who just polished off a bottle of whiskey. It never ends well.
This whole situation could’ve gone a lot worse. One wrong swerve, one missed turn in a residential neighborhood, and innocent people, kids, families, bystanders could have gotten seriously hurt or killed. It’s not just about the rider taking risks. It’s about dragging everyone else into the danger zone with him.
Alcohol and weapons already make a bad combo. Add a vehicle—any vehicle, especially something fast and maneuverable like an ATV—and you’re stacking the deck for disaster.
Florida might be famous for its wild “Florida Man” headlines, but stories like this aren’t just punchlines. They’re warnings. Powersports is awesome. Freedom is awesome. But responsibility has to be part of the equation. Otherwise, we’re just one bad decision away from headlines that could’ve been tragedies.
Source: Gulf Coast News
