12-year-old SC girl leads police on chase down I-77

Published: February 19, 2013 

A 12-year-old girl spent the night in police custody after authorities say she led law enforcement officers on a pursuit on Interstate 77 in Charlotte. She was trying to drive to a friend's house in Fort Mill.

No injuries were reported in the incident, which ended when N.C. Highway Patrol troopers were able to force the vehicle she was driving to a stop.

The series of events began Monday evening in Gaffney. Police say the girl apparently got into an argument with her father and allegedly took her dad’s pick-up truck. Authorities say the girl planned to drive about 45 miles east, to be with a friend in Fort Mill.

At some point, however, the girl got lost, and she was spotted about 10:45 p.m. by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police on northbound Interstate 77.

Police tried to stop the girl, but she wouldn’t pull over. CMPD called for help from the N.C. Highway Patrol then became involved in the chase, and troopers were able to force the truck to the side of the road on I-77 near Interstate 85.

Police say it was generally a low-speed pursuit, but troopers say the girl sped up at times.

The girl was suffering a hand injury, possibly as a result of the altercation with her father, and was taken to the hospital. Her family was contacted. It is unclear if she will face any charges.

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