6-year-old steals parents' car, claims Grand Theft Auto taught him to drive
Wednesday, 07 Jan 2009 09:42
GTAIV
A six-year-old Virginian misses bus; decides to drive to school in family car.
After missing his school bus, the boy was so determined to get to school on time that he took the wheel of the family Ford and drove almost six miles towards school whilst his mother was still asleep.
The Associated Press tells us that the event occurred on Monday morning 61 miles east of Richmond, Virginia.
In his journey he passed several other vehicles, making 90-degree turns, passing two intersections and veering off the road numerous times at great speed.
At about a mile and a half from his school he decided to pass another intersection before noticing a tractor coming towards him. He quickly veered the car back into his lane, causing it to swerve out of control and hit the verge. The vehicle was severely damaged.
"He was very intent on getting to school," said Northumberland County Sheriff Chuck Wilkins. "When he got out of the car, he started walking to school. He did not want to miss breakfast and PE."
The Washington Post explains that Deputy Roger Briney arrived at the scene first. "He was crying, hysterical, not from any pain; he was just adrenalined up on fright," said Briney. The boy then began to walk away. Briney continues; "I said, 'Where are you going?' He said, 'My school's right over there. I'm late!'"
After being evaluated at a local hospital, the boy was taken to school and arrived shortly after lunch with only minor injuries.
When asked where he had learnt to drive, the boy said that playing Grand Theft Auto and Monster Jam video games had given him the necessary hands-on skills.
His parents were both charged with child endangerment. The father was released on a $5,000 bond, whereas the mother is still being held. The boy and his four-year-old brother were placed in protective custody.
"This really is a story of miracles," Sheriff Wilkins said. "The Lord was with him, along with everybody else on the highway."
What else did this child learn from Grand Theft Auto?