Last month, a 10-year-old boy in Michigan stole a 2017 Buick Encore in hopes of meeting up with his mother in Detroit. The juvenile driver, who is shorter than 5 feet tall, took the car from Buena Vista and drove it southbound on Interstate 75. OnStar, a security service connected to the vehicle, alerted dispatchers and disabled the car near the Birch Run exit. Several callers reported a child driving on the interstate, and a trooper chased the car for about a mile before the minor ran from the vehicle and was apprehended. The suspect was taken to the Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center. A 32-second video of the incident shows the car swerving over three lanes before driving onto the shoulder and striking a guardrail.
A reckless teenage boy decided to take it upon himself to drive across four states in order to meet his mother, despite not having a license.
On Sunday morning, an ambitious 17-year old from Texas decided to take matters into his own hands. He was desperate to see his mother who lives in New Mexico and decided to drive an SUV without informing the owner. In doing so, the teenager drove the vehicle for four hours on the interstate without a properly issued license.
The teenage boy reportedly managed to drive the SUV from Texas, to New Mexico, bouncing back to Texas, then to Oklahoma, and eventually to Arkansas. Police from all four states unsuccessfully tried to apprehend the 17-year-old. Thankfully, the vehicle was equipped with an OnStar security system that enabled police to pinpoint his exact location.
The teenage boy was eventually stopped in Arkansas and the owner of the SUV was contacted. Fortunately, no one was harmed during the joyride and the teenage suspect was arrested and charged with grand theft auto. He will most likely face more charges in other states.
This reckless and potentially dangerous act of joy riding is an example of why drivers should be more careful when entrusting their vehicles to friends or relatives. Not only could the teenage boy have put himself in harm’s way but also other motorists. In addition, this incident sets forth an example of the laws in place that protect citizens from acts of crime.
The unnamed 17-year-old from Texas remains in custody in Arkansas pending review of his legal privileges. All are thankful that no one was injured during this joy ride and that the teenage suspect was apprehended safely.
