A 13-year-old teenager crashed a stolen vehicle while intoxicated at 100mph with an 11-year-old passenger. Police are warning about the dangers of underage drinking and joyriding.
Police in Arizona have issued a stern warning after a 13-year-old driver, under the influence of alcohol, crashed a stolen car while traveling at speeds exceeding 100mph. The incident occurred on the morning of Tuesday, September 30, and resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to both the driver and their 11-year-old passenger.
According to the Department of Public Safety and Highway Patrol, the teenager had stolen the vehicle from the Flagstaff Police Department around 1 a.m. before speeding the wrong way on Interstate 40. The driver collided with a guardrail before crashing into a nearby tree, with the impact so severe that the vehicle’s steering wheel was ejected approximately 50 feet from the wreck.
The Incident: Teen Drives Stolen Car Drunk at High Speed
The teenager was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the crash, showing six out of six signs of alcohol intoxication. Following the accident, authorities conducted a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test, which revealed the driver had a BAC of 0.183%—well above the legal limit of 0.08%.
The two children involved in the crash were rushed to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Photos from the scene show the vehicle with its roof caved in, the front end twisted against the tree, and the steering wheel lying on the grass.
The Highway Patrol had received reports of a wrong-way driver on I-40 eastbound, and a deputy had observed the vehicle driving at speeds over 100mph. The stolen vehicle fled from the Flagstaff Police Department before it was spotted by authorities. The crash resulted in the vehicle rolling several times before finally coming to a stop against a tree.
What Authorities Are Saying
After the crash, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) said that the driver, a 13-year-old girl, is expected to face charges related to driving under the influence (DUI). Authorities also warned about the dangers of underage drinking and joyriding, emphasizing that the outcome of the incident could have been far worse.
“We’re thankful the kids are okay, but this could’ve ended way worse. Juvenile joyriding and underage drinking are extremely dangerous,” the DPS spokesperson said. “Talk to your kids about the dangers of drinking and unlicensed driving.”
A Dangerous Reminder
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with underage drinking and driving, especially when combined with reckless behavior like joyriding. While the children involved in this crash are fortunate to have escaped with non-life-threatening injuries, the situation could have easily turned tragic.
The police are urging parents and guardians to discuss the dangers of alcohol, speeding, and unlicensed driving with their children to prevent similar incidents in the future.
