Youthful mistakes are almost a rite of passage, but some teenagers end up facing serious consequences for their missteps. A teenage girl in Washington was recently accused of vehicular assault for her alleged involvement in a car accident. Another teenager was also in the vehicle at the time of the collision.
At the time of the accident, Washington police were on the lookout for a car that had been reported as stolen. The car had apparently also been used during a burglary, although it is not clear whether police believe either of the teenagers were involved in that incident. Authorities eventually spotted the vehicle at an intersection, when the 15-year-old girl behind the wheel accidentally struck a police vehicle.
The police vehicle left the road and traveled up a nearby embankment, where it then hit a fence and came to a stop. Both the teenage girl and the police officer were taken to an area hospital for treatment, although the other teenager passenger did not appear to suffer any injuries. Neither alcohol or drugs were apparently a factor in this accident.
Vehicular assault is a serious criminal accusation with potentially life-altering consequences. Teenage offenders may have to spend time in juvenile detention facilities and might also lose out on future educational opportunities. Some judges even choose to charge Washington teenagers as adults, which can open them up to more severe legal consequences. Taking an early and proactive approach to a child’s defense is often essential to securing the most favorable outcome possible, so parents may want to consider reaching out to an experienced attorney for guidance.