On May 6, 2016 just after 1:30 A.M., the Tucson Police Department began receiving a “LoJack” stolen vehicle signal in the area of North Silverbell Road and West Grant Road. The Tucson Police Department’s Air Unit as well as officers on the ground began looking for the stolen vehicle. Shortly after the initial signals, officers located the vehicle in the area of I-10 and West Ina Road. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop; however the vehicle did not stop and fled from the officers. As the vehicle began to flee, patrol officers disengaged from the attempted traffic stop. The vehicle was observed by the Air Unit traveling southbound on North Oldfather Drive from Cortaro. As the vehicle continued southbound past West Massingale Road, the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a residence in the 7400 block of North Oldfather Drive. The three occupants in the vehicle fled on foot, but were quickly located and detained as Tucson Police Officers were directed to their location by Air Support.
The vehicle initially struck the side of the home, continued into the residence where it struck an interior wall and ultimately came to rest in a rear bedroom. A 17-year-old male was sleeping in the room when the collision occurred. He was struck by the car and debris as the vehicle traveled through his room. Northwest Fire immediately transported the teenager to Banner University Medical Center for treatment. The teenager sustained serious injuries, but those injuries appear to be non-life-threatening at this time. The teenager’s parents were also home at the time of the collision, but were not injured.
Detectives with the Tucson Police Department’s Traffic Investigations Unit responded to the scene to continue the investigation. They were able to determine that the driver of the vehicle was a 16-year-old male. He has been charged with Felony Criminal Damage, Aggravated Assault and Endangerment. While alcohol does not appear to be a factor, the vehicle’s speed and additional impairments appear to be factors in the collision. There were two female passengers in the vehicle, ages 18 and 14. The vehicle belonged to the 14-year-old’s grandmother and was stolen the day prior. The 14-year old has been charged with Auto Theft. The 14 and 16-year-old were both booked into the Pima County Juvenile Corrections Center. The 18-year-old was arrested and released for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.