11-year-old boy flees police and flips minivan at 60 mph

If you’re like us, when you were 11 years old, you probably enjoyed playing Gran Turismo or Need for Speed ​​during the holidays. But an 11-year-old boy in Oroville, California, recently decided to drive a real car on the street, prompting authorities to respond quickly and launch a brief pursuit before the minor crashed.

On the morning of December 14, the California Highway Patrol received multiple reports of a reckless driver traveling at a high rate of speed on State Highway 99 and weaving in and out of lanes. It wasn’t long before police found the vehicle and attempted to stop it. However, the minor refused to pull over and turned south onto SR-70.

READ: Boy, 11, caught driving BMW X5 towing caravan

At this stage, police have called off the pursuit to ensure public safety. About an hour later, the children’s guardian told police they were only 11 years old, and authorities began receiving new reports about them being back on the road. The police found them again, but they walked away. Instead of turning on lights and sirens and starting a chase, authorities said they decided to follow the children and monitor their whereabouts.

Soon after, the child’s joyful ride ended as he drove through a flooded stretch of road at about 60 mph (96 km/h). The car flipped and came to rest on its side. California Highway Patrol troopers removed the car’s windshield and assisted in pulling the child out. They were transported to a local hospital but were wearing seat belts and did not suffer any visible injuries.

It’s unclear how the 11-year-old boy got behind the wheel of the silver minivan and onto the highway, or whether police will charge them.

Photo: CHP – Oroville