Teens accused leading troopers on chase before crashing into RV

Reporter: Dannielle Garcia
Published: Updated:

A 16-year-old driver is accused of fleeing a traffic stop on I-75 before crashing into an Airstream camper-van Monday morning.

Florida Highway Patrol Troopers say four tees ages 13 to 17, all from Port Charlotte, were in a stolen car speeding over the speed limit heading south on I-75 in Lee County after 3 a.m.

A trooper attempted to pull the vehicle over for what they thought could potentially be an impaired driver.

FHP said the driver didn’t stop and took Exit 141, Orange River Boulevard. In doing so, they blew a tire and went off the road, crashing into a parked RV at the North Trail RV Center dealership. Luckily, there were no injuries in the crash.

The driver and a passenger attempted to run away and were caught, while the two other passengers stayed at the scene.

The 16-year-old driver was arrested and faces charges of fleeing and eluding, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, reckless driving, and grand theft in the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The three teenage passengers, however, were turned over to their parents, FHP said.

Michael Harlan, Airstream manager at North Trail RV, said, “I hope that they can have some sort of rehabilitation, I mean they’re young kids. They haven’t had a chance to experience life yet and could be ruining their life. I hope they have to work it off. I hope they appreciate a dollar today, and that’s all we can really hope for.”

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