A 16-year-old girl’s alleged attempt to escape a Florida Highway Patrol traffic stop lasted only a few minutes before her mother’s SUV struck a curb and cable box in Pasco County.
The teenager drove away from a trooper at approximately 6:42 a.m. Sunday and was taken into custody around 6:45 a.m. after the GMC Acadia she was driving became disabled, according to FHP.
The encounter started about six minutes earlier on U.S. Highway 19 near Gulf Trace Boulevard. An FHP trooper traveling south spotted the GMC traveling 60 mph in a posted 45-mph zone, according to an arrest report cited by Tampa Bay 28.
The teenager pulled into a McDonald’s parking lot at 2909 U.S. Highway 19. She reportedly told the trooper she had a learner’s permit from either Maine or Massachusetts and was rushing to get medication for her brother.
While the trooper was attempting to verify her information, FHP said the teenager put the SUV into drive and left the parking lot.
Short Pursuit Leads To Crash and Arrest
As shown on this Facebook post, the trooper followed with emergency lights and sirens activated as the SUV traveled west on Camry Drive.
The attempted getaway ended near Gulf Trace Boulevard when the teen lost control of the SUV, hit a curb, and then struck a cable box, according to FHP. The damaged vehicle came to a stop on the shoulder, and the teenager was taken into custody.
She faces a charge of fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and sirens activated. FHP also cited her for speeding, careless driving, and driving on a learner’s permit without a licensed driver who was at least 21 years old in the vehicle.
The teenager’s mother later told FHP she had not given her daughter permission to take the SUV.
Social Media Reacts: “There Goes Mom’s Insurance”
The incident prompted a wave of comments on Facebook, with many people focusing on the consequences awaiting the teenager both legally and at home.
The incident prompted a wave of social media comments, with many people focusing on the consequences awaiting the teenager both legally and at home.
“In my house, it would have been fearing what Momma’s going to — not the police,” one person commented.
“There goes mom’s insurance,” another wrote, while a third joked, “Mom’s insurance about to skyrocket into orbit. That bill gonna hurt more than the crash.”
The short duration of the attempted escape also drew attention. One commenter wrote, “It took her 26 seconds to crash,” while another added, “Well, she didn’t get very far at all! Lol.”
Others focused on the lesson they believed the incident offered young drivers.
“When the blue lights come on, one becomes the master of their destiny. Make good life choices,” one person wrote.
Another questioned the decision to flee, commenting, “I don’t understand why people drive away from cops. Never ends well.”