Lily Stewart of Georgia County recently found herself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Georgia went viral after her March 8 arrest.
It’s not every day that a college student becomes the face of a national news story. But Lily is taking it all in stride, saying she’s just enjoying her “15 minutes of fame.”
So, how did it all happen? Lily was on her way to a “darty” (that’s a day party, for those not in the know) at Georgia College & State University. She was cruising down a picturesque two-lane road, music blasting, and a little too push on the accelerator paddle.
Unfortunately, she was zooming along a bit too fast, hitting 85 mph in a 55 mph zone. A Georgia State Patrol car caught her eye, and before she knew it, she’d received her first speeding ticket of the day.
Lily Stewart (Morgan County)
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) March 14, 2025
Speeding in excess of maximum limits. pic.twitter.com/H68l4KuBla
Though, it didn’t end well. She quickly found herself in handcuffs, but even then, she managed to keep her spirits high. In fact, she smiled for her mugshot, which has become iconic in its own right.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral General stories via Google! Follow Us
While her mother, Michelle Stewart, asked and made sure her young daughter “looked pretty,” her father was a little less impressed by the ordeal.
“This is how I said it: I was like, ‘Dad, think of the absolute worst thing I could possibly do.’ And he was like, ‘Hmmm spend a bunch of money on my card and make me go broke…Well, then, you didn’t get in trouble with the law–’ And I was like, ‘Ding, ding, ding.’ And then he laughed and he was like, ‘You got arrested?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah,” Lily Stewart said.
Lily Stewart Will Be Serving 20 Hours To Community Service For Overspeeding
Despite the serious nature of her speeding, Lily is embracing the unexpected attention with humor. After her mug shot spread like wildfire on social media, she started getting recognized around campus.
However, she’s not getting away from the aftermath of the overspeeding with just that viral smile.
According to People, Stewart is undergoing a driving course for defensive driving and will be completing her due 20 hours of community service. Additionally, she will be writing a paper on the dangers of overspeeding.
“I’m going to say that speeding kills. However …If you do get caught speeding, maybe get arrested for it, maybe you’ll go viral and get some Instagram followers,” Lily said.
SOUTHERN CHARM: Police arrested Alpha Chi Omega sorority girl Lily Stewart for allegedly speeding twice in the span of three minutes, but her mugshot appears to be all the internet wants to talk about. Several people have even offered to pay her bail. https://t.co/Nhx9l3ViMk pic.twitter.com/611Hs1YEmS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 22, 2025
As life returns to normal for Lily, she’s continuing to focus on her studies in accounting, maintaining her love for college life and connecting with friends. And who knows, she’s even hinted at possibly appearing on “The Bachelor” someday.
Also Read: Female’s Mugshot Breaks The Internet After She’s Arrested In Georgia On Dangerous Charges
