Three children in Ohio detained after accident in stolen car
Ohio State Police detained three underage boys aged 12, 11, and 8 after they, while driving a stolen car, fled from pursuit and eventually crashed into a residential house. According to law enforcement, the chase reached speeds of 130 km/h, posing a serious danger to all road users.
The main facts of the incident are:
The pursuit began after a license plate recognition system was triggered
The incident occurred after the automated Flock license plate recognition system identified the Mazda 3, which had previously been reported as stolen. Police officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver began to flee. The chase took place on Harvard Avenue in Newburgh Heights at a dangerously high speed.
Miraculously, no one in the house or in the car itself sustained serious injuries, and the damage to the dwelling was assessed as minimal. After the crash, all three children attempted to flee but were quickly detained by law enforcement.
Confession and concern about the holidays
During interrogation, the 11-year-old driver confessed to the crime and stated that he had acquired car theft skills from videos on YouTube. One of the officers even noted that the boy drove “horribly.”
However, after their detention, the boys were worried not only about potential legal consequences. They were also deeply concerned about whether this incident would affect Santa Claus’s visit.
“All three boys stated that they understand the difference between right and wrong and admitted they had acted wrongly. While in custody, they were worried whether this would prevent Santa from bringing them gifts,” the police report states.
Newburgh Heights Police Chief John Majoy noted that the situation could easily have become fatal. He emphasized how close the accident was to having much more tragic consequences.
Screenshots, Newburgh Heights Police
Legal consequences for minors
According to police, the 11-year-old driver will face criminal charges for possessing stolen property and evading police. The 12-year-old passenger will also be held accountable for possessing stolen property. As for the 8-year-old boy, due to his age, criminal charges are unlikely to be filed.
This case vividly illustrates a number of modern problems: from the accessibility of harmful content for children on the internet to the importance of family upbringing and supervision. The children’s statement about Santa, on one hand, may seem naive, but on the other, it points to their true psychological age and values, which contrast with the seriousness of the act. The incident also raises questions about the responsibility of platforms hosting such content and the need for preventive work with youth regarding the dangers of such “adult” games. Fortunately, this story ended without casualties, allowing it to be viewed not as a tragedy, but as a serious warning.