FORT MYERS, Fla. — A group of teens stole a car, drove at high rates of speed and crashed it into a business Monday morning, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the car was stolen, and all four people who were in that stolen car were between the ages of 13 and 17.
The driver, a 16-year-old male, is facing serious charges and a business is left assessing the damages after those teens crashed into their property.
"I got a call this morning 4:15 this morning and had to come down here," said Steve Graham, General Manager at North Trail RV Center. "We have security in here all night into the morning, and security saw one of the guys running through the lot so he called 911."
“Four young juveniles were doing something they shouldn’t have been doing and putting other lives in danger," said FHP Lieutenant Greg Bueno. "Stolen property, eluding police, caused a crash and damage to someone’s property that they worked hard for.”
Bueno said a trooper saw the vehicle around 3 a.m. Monday morning.
Investigators say the teens stole the vehicle in Charlotte County, traveling south on the interstate into Lee County. During their joyride they weaved in and out of lanes at dangerously high speeds.
"When you start talking...130 miles per hour for speeds, obviously one mishap or one improper steering or a tire blows out we have a tragedy on our hands," said Bueno. "They already lost control, caused property damage. It could have been much worse and it's certainly going to be a very strong lesson learned."
Two other passengers were immediately detained at the scene, while the driver and another passenger attempted to escape. One of the two that ran was found a short time later, and the driver was found at his home.
The teen driver faces charges including fleeing and eluding troopers.
"Failing to stop for law-enforcement is very serious," said Bueno. "Reckless driving is very serious; these are criminal violations. Leaving a scene of a crash with property damage is an arrestable, very serious violation and the vehicle is stolen on top of that."
"Thank God nobody was injured," said Graham. "I'm surprised [FHP] said none of them had their seatbelts on."
Bueno says this incident is a good reminder for parents to know where their children are at.
"Someone’s life could have been taken away very easily because of this," he said.
