By Matt Underwood 13-year-old girl drives drunk, crashes stolen car with 11-year-old in passenger seat… Well, that’s a sentence that instantly grabs your attention, doesn’t it? It’s the kind of thing that makes you stop and ask, “What in the world happened here?” I mean, just the words themselves paint a pretty wild picture. A 13-year-old behind the wheel, under the influence, and with a younger passenger? It’s a recipe for disaster, plain and simple. And the fact that the car was *stolen*? That just adds another layer of craziness to an already shocking situation.
The 13-year-old’s blood alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.183. Seriously? That’s way over the legal limit for adults, and it’s astonishing that someone so young could even reach that level. It really makes you wonder what was going through her mind, or rather, how much of her mind was still working at all. Getting into, and starting a car at that BAC level is impressive and terrifying all at the same time. It just boggles the mind.
Considering she’s likely facing a DUI charge, the whole situation raises questions about the legal ramifications, especially when you factor in the grand theft auto, driving without a license, and reckless driving charges. What kind of time could she be facing in juvenile detention? Will she be tried as an adult? Those are the questions that start to come to mind. The whole thing is just a whirlwind of bad decisions and consequences.
The situation underscores the obvious need to talk to our kids about the dangers of drinking and driving. It seems like it would be way past that point now. The parents’ roles here are really under scrutiny as well. Where were they? Why did she have access to alcohol and a car? This situation screams neglect and a complete lack of parental supervision.
The joyride was reported around 1 a.m. on a Tuesday. One in the morning on a school night? It makes you wonder what the backstory is. And the fact that the car was stolen from the Flagstaff Police Department? I mean, how does that even happen? It’s almost unbelievable.
For some reason, there’s a curiosity about the passenger’s sobriety level. Was the 11-year-old also intoxicated? Did they know what was going on? It really makes you think about the passenger’s state of mind at that moment.
Stealing a car, driving without a license while drunk: that’s multiple crimes, it’s not hard to imagine she’ll face severe consequences. Probation, followed by a driving ban, feels appropriate here, even at her age. It’s a stark reminder of the potential life-altering impact of bad choices.
If 0.08 is the legal limit, that’s like 3 beers for an average weight person. Double that is just about that BAC, so 6 beers in roughly an hour to an hour and a half. It translates to maybe 3 shots? Not necessarily crazy, but certainly a high enough level to impair judgment and coordination.
It’s worth wondering whether, given the circumstances, this young girl will be permanently banned from getting a license in the future. This incident will undoubtedly cast a long shadow, making it a significant factor in her life. It’s a potent reminder that choices made in moments of poor judgment can have lasting ramifications.
The entire episode serves as a cautionary tale. We must talk to our kids about the dangers of alcohol and driving. It’s also a stark reminder of the importance of responsible parenting and supervision. It’s also a reminder of how quickly things can spiral out of control and how important it is to make smart decisions.