Utah troopers stop 12-year-old driver with tire spikes and tactical maneuvers

MURRAY, Utah (AP) — Utah Highway Patrol troopers who chased a reckless driver through the Salt Lake Valley late Thursday night say they were surprised to find a 12-year-old girl behind the wheel.

Their pursuit of the young girl, who had driven off in a black Honda Civic without her mother’s knowledge, began at 11:37 p.m. when dispatchers in West Valley City received reports of a reckless driver heading southbound on I-15. Authorities have not said who owns the car.

She was returned home safely but could face charges in juvenile court, according to the state Highway Patrol.

The first trooper on the scene spotted the vehicle drifting in and out of the carpool lane without its headlights on, according to the Highway Patrol. The girl reportedly failed to pull over when the trooper initiated a traffic stop, leading several other troopers to join the chase.

Traffic slowed as she swerved down the interstate at speeds varying between 40 to 70 mph (64 to 113 kph), authorities said. Troopers eventually set up and deployed road spikes, but it was unclear whether they were successful in deflating the tires as the car continued on at a slower pace after encountering them.

The girl finally came to a stop when troopers performed a tactical maneuver that forced the vehicle to turn sideways and caused her to lose control of the car. She was taken to the Murray Utah Highway Patrol Office and later released into her parents’ custody.