SPOKANE, Wash. — A 14-year-old driver crashed into a utility pole in northeast Spokane Wednesday night.
According to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office (SCSO), a deputy heading west on East Wellesley Avenue toward North Crestline Street saw a Jeep heading east quickly
SCSO said the deputy tried to follow the jeep. SCSO said the deputy only got within two blocks of the Jeep before it crashed into a utility pole and slammed into a cement wall on the southeast corner of Wellesley and North Cook Street.
SCSO said three minors: a 14-year-old boy, a 14-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl, fled before the deputy found them in the backyard of a home nearby.
SCSO said the three minors were treated for minor injuries.
SCSO said the 14-year-old girl was visiting the 12-year-old girl at her house when they took the Jeep without permission. SCSO said the 14-year-old girl was driving the Jeep, and the Jeep was loaned to the 12-year-old's mom by another family member.
SCSO said the two minors picked up the 14-year-old boy at a park and asked him to drive because the 14-year-old girl and the 12-year-old girl decided the 14-year-old boy was a better driver. SCSO said the 14-year-old boy started to drive fast and tried to turn on Cook at a high speed before losing control and crashing.
SCSO said a bottle of prescription pills not prescribed to the 14-year-old boy were found in his backpack, and the deputy seized them as evidence. SCSO said the 14-year-old boy also found nicotine pouches, an e-cigarette, a black facemask, and a credit card that was not under his name. SCSO said the credit card was not reported as stolen.
The 14-year-old boy was booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center for reckless driving, driving without a license, hit and run-property damage, possession of a legend drug and possession of a tobacco product by a minor.
The 14-year-old girl was booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center for taking a motor vehicle without permission.
SCSO said the 12-year-old girl was not booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center and was released to a parent.
