Inset: Carribean Myers. Background: The vehicle Myers allegedly allowed her 11-year-old daughter to drive to a Riverview, Fla., 7-Eleven before she crashed (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office).
In a startling incident in Florida, a mother is accused of letting her 11-year-old daughter take the driver’s seat to make a trip to a local 7-Eleven. Unfortunately, the young driver mistakenly hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, resulting in a crash.
Carribean Myers, aged 41, now faces charges of child abuse and allowing a minor without a license to drive. This information comes from a report by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, when deputies arrived at the 7-Eleven on Gordon Road in Riverview. The young driver had crashed into a concrete barrier before hitting the building. Confusing the brake for the accelerator seemed to be the cause of the collision, authorities reported.
Footage from a body camera revealed the car’s front bumper dangling from the vehicle, with evident damage to the storefront as well. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the aftermath of the crash, deputies confirmed.
Myers allegedly had the girl, who has autism, drive to the store from their home about 1 mile away because Myers’ license was suspended.
Cops say her driver’s license had been suspended for about two months and she has had her underage children drive her around ever since.
While everyone came out unscathed, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said it could have been a lot worse.
“Putting an 11-year-old behind the wheel is reckless and could have ended in tragedy,” Chronister said in a statement. “This mother made a dangerous decision that put her child and everyone around them at risk. Parents have a responsibility to protect their children, not place them in situations that could get them or someone else seriously hurt. We will hold anyone accountable who puts a child in danger.”
Body camera video showed deputies arresting Myers and placing her into the back of a patrol car.
Deputies took her to the Hillsborough County Jail, where she is being held without bond. Her next court date is not listed.
The post Mom let 11-year-old daughter drive to 7-Eleven before girl crashed into building after she mistook gas pedal for brake: Cops first appeared on Law & Crime.