'Drunk 13-year-old' crashes car at 100mph with 11-year-old in passenger seat

Authorities in Arizona are issuing a strong warning after a 13-year-old girl, allegedly intoxicated, crashed a stolen car while driving over 100 mph with an 11-year-old child in the passenger seat.

The incident occurred around 1AM on Tuesday, September 30, when the pair reportedly stole a vehicle from the Flagstaff Police Department, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Highway Patrol.

Officials said the teen drove the vehicle the wrong way across the median on Interstate 40 near Flagstaff before self-correcting and continuing eastbound at over 100 miles per hour, per ABC News.

Moments later, the car veered onto a guardrail, “rode” across it, rolled multiple times, and crashed into a tree.

Police have issued a warning after a 13-year-old crashed a stolen vehicle, with an 11-year-old passenger inside, at high speed on an Arizona highway. Credit: AZDPS Highway Patrol/Facebook

Severe Impact and Underage DUI

“The impact was so severe that the steering wheel broke off while the vehicle was rolling, and was ejected approximately 50 feet from where the vehicle landed,” DPS explained in a statement.

Photos from the crash show the car with its roof caved in and front end twisted around a tree. The detached steering wheel lay in the grass nearby.

Both children survived the incident with non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital.

Blood Alcohol Level Over Twice the Legal Limit

State troopers observed six out of six signs of intoxication in the 13-year-old driver. A blood alcohol test at the hospital revealed a BAC of 0.183% - more than double the legal limit for adults and well over the zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21 in Arizona.

DPS confirmed that the 13-year-old is expected to face driving-under-the-influence (DUI) charges, and additional charges related to the stolen vehicle and reckless driving are expected.

Police revealed that both children thankfully survived the incident with non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Credit: AZDPS Highway Patrol / Facebook

Officials Urge Parental Guidance

In their post on Facebook, DPS warned parents about the serious consequences of underage drinking and unlicensed driving.

"We're thankful the kids are okay, but this could've ended way worse. Juvenile joyriding and underage drinking are extremely dangerous. Talk to your kids about the dangers of drinking and unlicensed driving,” the department said.

An investigation into how the children accessed the vehicle and the circumstances leading up to the incident is ongoing.

Featured image credit: AZDPS Highway Patrol / Facebook