Sacramento, California – In an incident that seems straight out of an action movie, the California Highway Patrol reported that a 9-year-old boy took the wheel of his mother’s car intending to head to school, triggering a brief police chase that ended just outside Plumas Avenue Elementary School.
The events unfolded around 9:20 a.m. at the intersection of Grand Avenue and 4th Street in Oroville, located 65 miles north of Sacramento.
A Highway Patrol officer noticed a gray Volkswagen sedan parked unusually in the middle of the intersection. Upon attempting to get the driver to move, the car accelerated, thus initiating a brief but erratic pursuit that concluded in a dirt parking lot near the elementary school.
Fortunately, both the police vehicle and the Volkswagen sustained only minor damages, and no injuries were reported.
Encountering the 9-year-old behind the wheel, the Highway Patrol discovered that he had taken the car from his mother intending to drive to school by himself. Despite the incident, authorities ensured that the child was safely taken to school after being alerted and the situation documented.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of securing our vehicles and educating our children about the dangers of driving without permission. The Highway Patrol’s post garnered hundreds of comments and shares on social media, including one from Kimberly Slack, who claimed to be the grandmother of the child involved.
In her comment, Slack explained that her grandson had taken the car while his mother was occupied in the bathroom. While acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, Slack also highlighted the child’s good intentions and confirmed that his primary goal was to get to school on time.
It is our responsibility as parents to educate our children about road safety and traffic rules. While the child’s intentions were good, this action driven by innocence could have led to irreparable consequences.
Always remember to stay vigilant about your car’s conditions, both at home and on the roads. Together, we can raise awareness and ensure road safety.
