12-year-old girl found behind wheel after police chase ended with tire spikes

09 March 2024 , 21:38

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Tire spikes were used to try stop the 12-year-old driver (Image: Getty Images)

Police were shocked at the end of a lengthy police chase to find the person behind the wheel was a 12-year-old girl.

Officers tried to pull a black Honda Civic after seeing it drift through traffic without headlights on. They had received reports of a wreckless driver at around 11.37pm driving south on the I-15 in near Salt Lake City, Utah.

The young girl had reportedly driven off in her mum's car without her parent realising. After police spotted the vehicle and it failed to stop, they took off after her.

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Police had to force the other car to stop (Getty Images)

Traffic slowed as she swerved down the interstate at speeds varying between 40 to 70 mph (64 to 113 kph), authorities said. Troopers eventually set up and deployed road spikes, but it was unclear whether they were successful in deflating the tires as the car continued on at a slower pace after encountering them.

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She was returned home safely but could face charges in juvenile court, according to the state Highway Patrol.

The girl finally came to a stop when troopers performed a tactical maneuver that forced the vehicle to turn sideways and caused her to lose control of the car. She was taken to the Murray Utah Highway Patrol Office and later released into her parents’ custody.

Charlie Jones