13-year-old drunk driver crashes after driving wrong-way on interstate

Teen accused of crashing stolen truck near Flagstaff

An intoxicated 13-year-old crashed a stolen pickup truck near Flagstaff on Sept. 30, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said. DPS says the teen led troopers on a chase along Interstate 40 before crashing into a tree. The teen driver and an 11-year-old passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

A 13-year-old girl reportedly crashed a stolen vehicle while driving drunk on an Arizona interstate Tuesday, colliding with a tree at speeds of more than 100 mph with an 11-year-old passenger in the car. 

What we know:

According to Arizona Highway Patrol, the crash happened about 1 a.m., when troopers responded to reports of a wrong-way driver on I-40 eastbound in Flagstaff. The driver had driven the wrong way across the median, then "self-corrected" and continued speeding. 

13-year-old crashes stolen vehicle into tree (Arizona Highway Patrol)

Soon after, the vehicle drove onto a guardrail and "rode" across it before rolling over several times and landing in a tree, troopers said. The collision was so severe, the steering wheel flew off the vehicle and landed about 50 feet from the site of the crash. 

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The steering wheel flew off the vehicle and landed about 50 feet from the site of the crash (Arizona Highway Patrol)

The teen driver and her 11-year-old passenger were both taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Troopers say the 13-year-old failed sobriety tests at the scene and had a .183 BAC (blood alcohol content), more than twice the legal alcohol limit for adult drivers in Arizona. 

The vehicle was reported stolen and had fled from the Flagstaff Police Department before the crash. 

13-year-old crashes stolen vehicle into tree (Arizona Highway Patrol)

What they're saying:

"We're thankful the kids are okay, but this could've ended way worse. Juvenile joyriding and underage drinking are extremely dangerous," Highway Patrol said on Facebook. "Talk to your kids about the dangers of drinking and unlicensed driving."

What's next:

The 13-year-old is facing DUI charges.