A driver shocked Nebraska state troopers and officers on Monday night after leading them on a high-speed chase that lasted about 16 minutes.
What shocked them was the age of the driver.
A 13-year-old girl was driving the car. Her passenger was an 11-year-old boy. Police eventually took them into protective custody.
State troopers, officers from the Shelton Police Department and the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the chase incident, according to a news release issued after a state trooper managed to stop the teen driver, who was driving down an interstate highway at dangerously high speeds at night.
At around 9:30 pm on Monday, January 16, a trooper saw a vehicle going around 35 miles an hour on Interstate 80. He tried to stop the car near Kearney, but the driver of the Nissan Pathfinder sped up and fled from the officer.
According to the Nebraska State Patrol, the teen driver reached a speed of over 100 miles per hour. A trooper put down stop sticks to slow the car down but was unable to stop it.
The teen girl took an exit and slowed down, but kept going.
Another trooper was able to end the chase with a tactical maneuver, forcing the vehicle to stop. He took the girl and her companion into protective custody without incident.
Police found a gun, marijuana, and some drug gear inside the car.
Drivers in Nebraska are eligible for a learner’s permit two months before their 15th birthday, but they must drive with a licensed driver at least 21 years old accompanying them until they turn 16, at which point they are eligible for a driver’s license.