High-Speed Chase Ends With DUI Charge For 11-year-old
This is an unusual one. Police in Orange Beach, Ala., were shocked to find that the Chevrolet Monte Carlo they were involved with in a high-speed chase was actually being driven by a 11-year-old girl, according to an Associated Press news report posted on the Seattle Times’ Web site. More unusual, the girl was obviously intoxicated, officials said. Just how drunk? Well, police say her blood alcohol level was high enough to get an adult a DUI charge.
The girl, whose name was not released because of her age was not seriously injured, but was treated at a hospital for scrapes and bruises and released to relatives, according to the article. The 8-mile pursuit reached speeds of 100 miles and ended when the girl’s vehicle flipped. Police realized who was in the vehicle only after they looked inside with guns drawn. Police said they expected to see a hardened criminal, not a young girl. The girl was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, reckless endangerment and leaving the scene of an accident. Officials said the girl sideswiped a vehicle during the chase.
The chase began at about 10:30 p.m. on July 3 when a patrol officer near the Florida state line saw the car speeding along a beach highway. Investigators believe the girl was on a holiday with her family in a neighboring Florida beach. When caught, the girl told officials she was driving to Orange Beach to pick up her sister from a concert, but officials say they haven’t verified that statement yet. No alcohol was found in the car, but officials say the girl drank alcohol before she got into the car and started driving. The car itself belonged to a family member, officials said.
This is a sad and unfortunate incident, which could have ended a lot worse for the young girl. Clearly, there are many unanswered questions here. How did she get the car? How did she get the alcohol? How much did she have to drink? What did she eat before and/or after she drank? Although it is extremely uncommon for someone this young to get charged with drunk driving, it is one of the more common charges among adults. If you or a loved one has been charged with drunk driving, call one of our Southern California drunk driving defense attorneys to discuss your case.
