Police car at the scene of a criminal related incident
Police car at the scene of a criminal related incident

Teen driver charged after stolen car crashes, injuring passenger in North Tonawanda

NORTH TONAWANDA, NY – A 14-year-old boy is facing multiple felony charges after police say he crashed a stolen vehicle, injuring a passenger and damaging several parked cars early Sunday morning.

According to North Tonawanda Police, the crash occurred around 2:21 a.m. on November 23 when an officer responding to a separate call spotted a blue Hyundai Sonata traveling north on Webster Street.

The vehicle struck two parked cars before continuing northbound, colliding with four more vehicles before coming to a stop, disabled from the impact.

Police said the 14-year-old driver fled on foot, leaving behind a 17-year-old passenger who suffered serious injuries to his lower body. The car was later determined to have been stolen out of Kenmore.

Detectives locate driver, both teens hospitalized

Investigators from the North Tonawanda Detective Bureau and Accident Investigation Team processed the scene and later located the juvenile driver.

Due to his injuries, the teen was taken to Oishei Children’s Hospital for treatment, while his 17-year-old passenger was transported to ECMC.

Parents of both juveniles were notified, though police said the driver’s parent initially refused to take custody of him. Damage to the six vehicles and the stolen Sonata is estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars.

14-year-old faces multiple felony charges

The teen driver from Kenmore has been charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, and seven counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief.

Police said the juvenile was released on an appearance ticket and will face a future court date. The 17-year-old passenger remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

A 14-year-old from Kenmore was charged after crashing a stolen car in North Tonawanda, injuring a passenger and damaging multiple vehicles.

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