‘Could have ended very differently’: 13-year-old girl crashes parents’ vehicle in Nanaimo

A 13-year-old girl may be facing charges after she took her parents’ vehicle without their permission, fled police and ultimately crashed. 

At around 2 a.m. on July 25th, a Nanaimo RCMP officer observed the vehicle travelling southbound on Terminal Avenue. 

The vehicle was clocked at travelling 118 km/h in a posted 50 km/h zone. 

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but it managed to evade the officer at a high speed. 

Rather than pursuing the vehicle at such high speeds, the officer reportedly chose to disengage, and instead advised other officers of the vehicle.

Shortly after, police received a report that the vehicle had gone off the road in central Nanaimo. 

Police say they responded, located the vehicle and after searching the area, located and arrested the alleged driver.

It was then that police discovered the driver was a 13-year-old girl who had taken her parents’ vehicle without permission. 

The vehicle sustained damage in the collision when it went off the road and had to be towed from the scene. 

The girl was released from custody to a guardian. 

“This incident could have ended very differently,” said Donovan Tait, operations officer with Nanaimo RCMP. 

“Speeds more than double the posted limit, combined with an inexperienced and unlicensed driver, create an extreme risk to everyone using our roads. Fortunately, no one was injured.”

Tait added that this incident should serve as a reminder for parents and guardians to secure vehicle keys and to speak with youth about the consequences that can come from taking a vehicle without permission.

Police say the investigation continues.