A 10-year-old boy reportedly stole a 2017 Buick Encore in Buena Vista, Michigan, which is near Flint, earlier this month. A security service connected to the vehicle alerted authorities to its location traveling down Interstate 75. Several drivers also called 911 to report a child was driving a vehicle down the highway. The Michigan State Police provided updates in a series of tweets as well as a short video clip of the chase. The silver vehicle is seen swerving into traffic and driving frantically.
The 10-year-old was allegedly trying to visit his mother in Detroit, he told authorities, per Today.com. The vehicle and the minor were retrieved, and the boy was reportedly taken to Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center. The 10-year-old’s identity has not been released because of his age. He was staying with relatives when he stole the vehicle to visit his mother, according to the New York Post.
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Multiple drivers called 911 to report a child driving down the interstate.
The SUV was stolen May 27, and police in Saginaw County, Michigan, were alerted by OnStar, an emergency vehicle service connected to the 2017 Buick Encore, according to the Post. Michigan State Police Lt. Kimberely Vetter said several drivers called to report a child driving recklessly down Interstate 75, the news outlet reported. The boy was reportedly driving dangerously fast on southbound I-75, per state police.
Michigan State Police shared a brief clip of the incident on Twitter and provided updates, noting that fortunately no one was hurt. The tweet noted that officers were following the vehicle for about a mile.
A security service connected to the car disabled it while police were in pursuit.
The troopers found the Buick Encore near the Birch Run Exit on Interstate 75 and tried to pull it over but the minor would not stop, authorities said, per Today.com. Thankfully, the security service connected to the vehicle, OnStar, was able to disable it.
The SUV swerved and eventually stopped, running into a guardrail where the 10-year-old tried to flee the vehicle but was caught and taken to a local juvenile detention center, the news outlet reported. Authorities shared that he was trying to visit his mother in Detroit.
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Underage driving is dangerous for all the drivers involved.
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every day, eight teens die in a motor vehicle accident, and countless more are injured. The cost of motor vehicle crash related incidents resulted in $40.7 billion in medical costs in 2020, the agency reported.
Parents should discuss the dangers of underage driving with their kids and teens and keep car keys in a safe location that isn’t easily accessed.
People have speculated on what kind of conditions drove the 10-year-old to steal a vehicle to see his mother.
Readers of the Post article covering the story wondered what drove the minor to commit a car theft and attempt to drive from Buena Vista to Detroit. One reader commented, “Here’s one for you .. maybe living with his relatives was not ideal and maybe even horrifying and he loves his mother no matter what!”
“I disagree. This kid is just 10. I'd like to know why he was separated from his mother. Mother-child is a strong bond. Is his mother sick? Does she have problems that prevent her from caring for him? someone else disagreed. "That would make life so hard for a 10-year-old. Kids that young don't perceive things the same way. He knew it was wrong but his mind he wanted to see his mother.”
Other readers sympathized with the 10-year-old wanting to see his mom. Another reader commented, “AAWWWHHH you gotta feel for the little fella.”
