6-year-old misses the bus, takes the family car

[pokerfan]

WICOMICO CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A 6-year-old Virginia boy who missed his bus tried to drive to school in his family's sedan — and crashed.

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He made at least two 90-degree turns, passed several cars and ran off the rural two-lane road several times before hitting an embankment and utility pole about a mile and a half from school.

The boy told police he learned to drive playing Grand Theft Auto and Monster Truck Jam video games.

"He was very intent on getting to school," said Northumberland County Sheriff Chuck Wilkins. "When he got out of the car, he started walking to school. He did not want to miss breakfast and PE."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iKKETCuXgBnZdJiuCYCqcRYR6w0gD95HS7K00">6-year-old takes family car after missing bus

[redqueen]

1. Wow...

who lets their 6-year-old play GTA?

It's nice that he wanted to go to school so bad though. :)

[MorningGlow]

2. OMG that so could be my kid

"The boy told police he learned to drive playing Grand Theft Auto and Monster Truck Jam video games."

Mr. MG has gotten MG Jr. (5) hooked on driving games like Breakout Paradise and PGR3 on the X-Box and even got him the steering wheel/pedals set. The kid is a natural--a better online driver than daddy. We've always said he's going to grow up to be The Stig. Might happen sooner than we thought.

(But really, who lets their 6YO play Grand Theft Auto?!)

[monmouth]

3. The thing that's disturbing is that mom was asleep. Does she not get

up to see he has breakfast and isn't wearing one blue and one red sock? I mean, go back to bed after the child is on his way but geeeez....

[lizziegrace]

4. I'm assuming from the article that he gets a free breakfast at school

if he was so anxious to get there. Probably a free or reduced-price lunch. He was probably hungry when he took off. :(

[LisaL]

5. Why didn't he wake his mother?

This could have ended up really badly.

[woo me with science]

7. Another article says he couldn't wake her,

and social services is "well aware" of the family.

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. He -wants- to go to school.

No one gets to yell at this kid!

[yellowcanine]

8. The father was under a court order not to leave the children alone with the mother.

A seriously messed up family it appears. The kids are now in the care of child protective service. Both parents charged with endangerment. The dad is out on bail, the mother is in jail. Jeez.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/06/AR2009010601195.html?wprss=rss_metro