OROVILLE, Calif. – Police in Oroville, California, were taken by surprise when they encountered a Volkswagen speeding away during a traffic incident, only to discover that a 9-year-old boy was behind the wheel.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the unusual situation unfolded on Wednesday morning in Oroville, a city located near the Sierra Nevada mountains. The incident began when the sedan was found stopped oddly in the middle of an intersection around 9:20 a.m.
In a statement, the CHP explained that upon being instructed to move, the vehicle unexpectedly sped off, leading to a short and erratic chase that ended in a dirt parking lot near Plumas Avenue Elementary School. Despite the car reversing and running into a patrol car, fortunately, there was only minor damage.
Upon apprehending the vehicle, officers were surprised to find a 9-year-old child at the wheel, who had taken the car in an attempt to drive to school. Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident, and the child was safely handed over to school authorities after the situation was resolved.
Officer Terry Dunn, who stopped the vehicle, expressed shock at the sight of the young driver. He highlighted the importance of keeping car keys secure and having conversations with children to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of children gaining access to vehicles and emphasizes the need for parental supervision and proper safety measures to prevent similar occurrences.
In conclusion, the authorities in Oroville are grateful that the situation ended without any harm and urge parents to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their children and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.