12-year-old driver leads Texas police on a chase

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Aug 27, 2008

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) -- A 12-year-old boy took his grandmother's car and led police on a chase at speeds up to 60 mph before swerving to avoid spikes in the road and crashing into a fence, police said.

The boy was treated for a small cut to the head then taken to Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center, where he remained in custody Tuesday, chief juvenile probation officer Homer Flores said.

Corpus Christi Police Capt. Todd Green said officials spotted the youngster in the car late Monday at a stop sign near his grandparents' home. Names of the boy and his grandparents were not released.

When an officer approached the boy, he sped away and the pursuit began, authorities said.

Authorities placed spikes in the road to stop him. While swerving to avoid them, he lost control of the car, struck a curb and ran into a chain-link fence, police said. He was stopped about a mile from his grandparents' house.

Green said he was going as fast as 60 mph in a 35 mph zone. He said the boy does not appear to have a history of theft or other criminal activity. Officials believe he was living with his grandparents.