In an alarming incident that occurred early Tuesday morning, a 13-year-old girl reportedly drove a Tesla without her parents’ permission and subsequently crashed the vehicle in Santa Rosa. The crash took place around 4:35 a.m. near the 700 block of King Street.
Upon arriving at the scene, responding officers found a severely damaged Tesla that had crashed into a utility pole. Three minors, including the underage driver, were found nearby, walking around with seemingly minor injuries.
Investigation revealed that the 13-year-old girl had taken her parents’ Tesla for an unauthorized joyride. It’s believed that she lost control of the vehicle after hitting a dip in the road, causing the Tesla to crash into three parked cars, a utility pole, and a street sign before coming to a halt.
The police notified the minors’ parents about the incident. It is currently not known whether alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash. Pacific Gas and Electric company also responded to assess the status of the damaged utility pole, but no power outages were reported as a result of the crash.
This incident underscores the dangers of underage driving and the crucial role of parental supervision in preventing such scenarios. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of driving education and the enforcement of driving age restrictions. Anyone with further information on the incident is encouraged to contact SRPD Officer Ashley Odetto.