Yuma: 13-Year-Old Driver Crashes Into Pole, Leads Police on Foot Chase With Handgun
Marcus Whitfield
The Crash
A 13-year-old boy crashed a car into a utility pole in Yuma early Friday morning and then fled the scene on foot with a handgun, according to the Yuma Police Department.
The crash happened shortly after 2 a.m. in the 900 block of West 12th Street, near South Ninth Avenue. Officers responded to reports of a single-vehicle collision involving a gray 1993 Acura that had veered off the roadway and hit a utility light pole, according to a YPD press release.
When officers arrived, the driver and his passenger, a 17-year-old boy, ran from the vehicle, according to YPD. The two teens ran through several backyards before being caught after a foot chase, the department said.
The Firearm
During the investigation, YPD determined that the 13-year-old driver possessed a handgun. The teen discarded the weapon while running from officers, and police recovered the firearm along the route of the pursuit, according to the press release.
Both juveniles were taken to Onvida Health after suffering minor injuries from the crash, YPD said. Their names have not been released because they are minors.
The investigation into how the teens obtained the firearm and the events leading up to the crash remains active, according to YPD.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights a recurring challenge for Arizona law enforcement. Minors driving without licenses and carrying firearms have been involved in dangerous incidents across the state in recent months.
In late April, Arizona's Family reported that several minors were detained after an armed robbery sparked a chase from Phoenix into Buckeye that ended in a crash. Law enforcement officials say such cases strain resources and put bystanders at risk.
Because both suspects are under 18, many details about the case are shielded from public view under Arizona law. Juvenile court records are often confidential and can be released only in limited situations, according to the Arizona Revised Statutes.
What Police Are Asking
Yuma Police are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the department at 928-783-4421. Residents can also call 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.
"The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at 928-783-4421, or 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous," YPD said in its press release.