11-year-old rolls minivan in Northern California, is rescued by Highway Patrol after joyride
An 11-year-old’s joyride Saturday ended with a crash and rescue after the child was seen driving a minivan recklessly Saturday morning across several Northern California highways.
California Highway Patrol officers received multiple reports at about 10:42 a.m. Saturday of someone driving a silver minivan recklessly south on Highway 99 in Butte County south of Chico, swerving between lanes at varying speeds, according to a CHP news release.
Officers caught up with the minivan as it drove south on Highway 149 and tried stopping it, but the driver sped up and drove onto Highway 70.
Weather conditions caused troopers to call off the chase after about 30 seconds, according to CHP. Chico police told CHP officers an hour later that the driver’s guardian reported that an 11-year-old was behind the wheel. More calls came in about 11:47 a.m. reporting the driver was headed south toward Oroville.
Officers awaited the driver and tried communicating when the 11-year-old exited at Garden Drive, just north of Thermalito Forebay on the outskirts of Oroville. After stopping for a moment, the child again sped away from officers and returning to the freeway.
From there, officers followed the vehicle while traveling about 50 mph without lights or sirens activated to avoid startling the illegal motorist into speeding away. CHP described the officers as following rather than pursuing the driver, keeping watch “as there was no possible way at the time to communicate with the minor.”
The vehicle exited Nelson Avenue where it continued for several miles before driving through a flooded section of the road going 60 mph. The minivan hydroplaned, causing the minivan to lose control and roll over onto westbound shoulder.
Officers removed the windshield and rescued the child, who was wearing a seatbelt. The 11-year-old appeared unharmed but was taken to a hospital as a precaution.
CHP officials did identify the juvenile and did not specify what charges the juvenile would face.
