'Extreme risk': B.C. teen crashes parent's vehicle fleeing from police

A B.C. teen is facing possible charges after a series of harrowing events ended with a damaged vehicle and an arrest by police.

According to Nanaimo RCMP, a 13-year-old Vancouver Island girl took a parent’s vehicle without permission in the early morning hours of July 25.

The vehicle was spotted by a Nanaimo RCMP officer on patrol, with the driver speeding 118 km/h in a posted 50 km/h zone on Terminal Avenue.

“The officer attempted a traffic stop; however, the vehicle accelerated away,” said the detachment in a release.

“With the reason for the driver’s actions unknown, the officer discontinued the attempted stop, deactivated the emergency equipment, and advised other officers of the vehicle.”

You might also like:
• Huge street festivals and triathlon closing Metro Vancouver roads this weekend
• ‘Difficult decision’: Fable Diner closing popular Vancouver location
• 'Hearts are heavy': Popular B.C. resort closes due to major wildfire

Just a short time later, around 2 a.m., Nanaimo RCMP received a report that the vehicle had gone off the road in the central part of the city.

The alleged driver was soon located after a short search of the area near the crashed vehicle, and was arrested without incident.

The vehicle was damaged in the crash and was towed from the site. No injuries were reported, but Nanaimo RCMP said that the “incident could have ended very differently.”

“Speeds more than double the posted limit, combined with an inexperienced and unlicensed driver, create an extreme risk to everyone using our roads,” said Nanaimo RCMP Operations Officer Donovan Tait in a statement.

“This serves as an important reminder for parents and guardians to secure vehicle keys and speak with youth about the serious consequences that can result from taking a vehicle without permission.”

The Vancouver Island incident isn’t the only recent one to involve a teen running afoul of both their parents and the law.

A B.C. teen faced the suspension of his licence earlier this spring, and police have shared wild video footage of a car crash that led to those consequences.

According to BC Highway Patrol (BCHP), the teen, from Abbotsford, was found guilty of a long list of driving offences.

BC Highway Patrol have released the footage to highlight the risks of speeding and poor decisions on the road.

To make matters worse, it was the teen’s stepmom’s car.

And last fall, BCHP said that a teen had some explaining to do after travelling at dangerous speeds in his dad’s Honda.

A 17-year-old got a ride home from his mom after he was caught speeding on Highway 1 in rainy weather.

According to a BCHP officer’s laser reader, the teenager was driving at a speed of 178 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. To make matters worse, the ‘N’ driver only recently got his licence.

He also violated his N privileges as he was travelling with two passengers who were not family members.

Want to stay on top of all things Vancouver? Follow us on X