Nanaimo RCMP arrest 13-year-old after parent’s vehicle crashes

Nanaimo RCMP say a 13-year-old Vancouver Island girl may face charges after allegedly taking a parent’s vehicle without permission early July 25 and later crashing it in central Nanaimo.

An officer on Terminal Avenue saw the vehicle travelling 118 km/h in a posted 50 km/h zone, police said. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle accelerated away. RCMP said the officer ended the attempt because the reason for the driver’s actions was unknown and alerted other officers.

At about 2 a.m., police received a report that the vehicle had left the road. The alleged driver was found near the damaged vehicle after a short search and was arrested without incident. No injuries were reported and the vehicle was towed.

RCMP Operations Officer Donovan Tait said the combination of excessive speed and an inexperienced, unlicensed driver created an extreme risk for road users. Police urged parents and guardians to secure vehicle keys and speak with young people about the consequences of taking a vehicle without permission.