On Friday, April 7, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a car crash involving a stolen vehicle occurred in Woodland, a city situated around 15 miles northwest of Sacramento, California. Cops said that the stolen vehicle responsible for the accident was driven by a 13-year-old boy, whose identity is being withheld due to his age.

Woodland police reported witnessing a vehicle being driven erratically near Main Street in Woodland before the crash. When officers attempted to approach the vehicle, the teenage driver accelerated, resulting in a police chase. Woodland Police Officer Victoria Danzl said that they had hoped the police lights and siren would encourage the young driver to slow down, but that didn’t happen.

The teen sped into the intersection of Court Street and College Street, where he collided with two other vehicles. The impact caused two of the three cars involved to ignite. Woodland fire and emergency responders, along with four ambulances, were dispatched to the scene. 

The collision resulted in the death of a mother and grandmother, Tina Vital, and injured 12 others, including three minors. Ten of the injured individuals were transported to a nearby hospital, among them the young driver.

After receiving medical treatment, the teenage suspect was booked into Yolo County Juvenile Hall. Police said that he could face charges of evading with injuries and vehicular manslaughter with negligence. The stolen vehicle was a family car, and the teen had allegedly taken it for joyrides before.

The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the crash. Local attorney Mark Riechel noted that children under 14 cannot be charged as adults, and the boy is expected to appear before a judge or commissioner.

Officer Danzl commented to a local news outlet that young individuals often fail to consider the consequences of their actions. Quita White, a friend of the victim, expressed a similar sentiment, stating that they don’t realize how quickly they can take a life and devastate a family.