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An early-morning joyride ended in a crash and potential charges for a 13-year-old Nanaimo girl.

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The girl took her parents’ black sedan around 2 a.m. on July 25 and was police allege she was going  118 km/h down Terminal Avenue when she was spotted. The speed limit is 50 km/h.

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An officer activated their emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop, but the girl sped away. The officer ceased their pursuit but, a short time later, police received a call about a car that had gone off the road.

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Police found the car with extensive damage and made an arrest a short distance away.

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“This incident could have ended very differently,” said Nanaimo RCMP operations officer Donovan Tait.

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“Speeds more than double the posted limit, combined with an inexperienced and unlicensed driver, create an extreme risk to everyone using our roads. Fortunately, no one was injured. This serves as an important reminder for parents and guardians to secure vehicle keys and speak with youth about the serious consequences that can result from taking a vehicle without permission.”

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Police said the driver had taken the parent’s vehicle without permission. The girl, who was not hurt, was later released into the custody of a guardian.

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Children between the ages of 12-17 can be charged with crimes and prosecuted under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, rather than the adult criminal system. For minor, non-violent offences, punitive measures usually focus on rehabilitation, such as community service or fines.

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