Watch 11-Year-Old Driver Lead Ohio Police on Wild High-Speed Chase

NEWBURGH HEIGHTS, OH — An 11-year-old driver with two other children as passengers led police on a chase Saturday in a stolen car before crashing into a house.

The young driver had an 8-year-old and a 12-year-old in the vehicle when a Flock Safety license plate reader alerted officers to the stolen car traveling along Harvard Avenue around East 54th Street, according to Newburgh Heights Police Chief John Majoy. The child drove a white Kia that was stolen out of Parma.

When officers attempted to stop the vehicle around 2:55 p.m., the driver fled westbound on Harvard Avenue and over the Denison Bridge. The chase ended when the driver made a sharp left turn and lost control.

In a video released by the Newburgh Heights Police Department, the child led police on a chase along Harvard Avenue, with speeds up to 80 mph. After the vehicle crashed into the home at the corner of Denison Ave. and West 20th Street, all three occupants bolted from the video.

When officers approached the children, they were afraid. Two of them, including the 11-year-old driver called out for their parents and repeatedly asked officers not to hurt them.

“Please don’t hurt us,” one of them cried. “Can you please call my mother?”

The children informed Majoy that they learned how to steal cars by watching YouTube videos. The children had used a USB cord to hot-wire the ignition.

They were released to their parents. Charges will be filed in juvenile court against the 11 and 12-year-olds. It is unknown if charges will be filed against the 8-year-old.

The home sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported in the incident.

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