Underage joyride in parent's car ends in tragedy; 10-year-old boy killed, 3 injured



LAKEWOOD, Wash. -- A 10-year-old boy was killed and three other boys -- an 11-year-old and two 14-year-olds --  were injured Monday when a car they allegedly had taken from parents slammed into a pole and then a tree at Veterans Drive near Pine Street in Lakewood, police and West Pierce Fire officials said.



Lakewood police Lt. Chris Lawler said the teens were initially involved in a minor crash on Gravelly Lake Drive, but the 14-year-old driver sped off, lost control on Veterans Drive and hit a power pole, cracking it. The car then spun around and hit a big tree, with the impact on the right rear passenger side. The 10-year-old who was in that seat died at the hospital, he said.

The driver and front passenger tried to run from the scene immediately after the accident, but were caught by police, Lawler said.

Lakewood Police say the 14-year-old driver took his family's car without permission Monday afternoon.

Lawler told The Associated Press that the driver has been arrested and could face vehicular homicide charges.

All of the injured were rushed to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital.