Boy, 13, Crashes Mom's SUV on Joy Ride

A 13-year-old Novato boy took his mom’s car for a ride on a recent night and survived a rollover crash that might not have been his fault, said.

First responders were called at 1:17 a.m. Nov. 18 to the corner of Rowland Boulevard and Cambridge Street, where they found a crashed 2000 Mercury Mountaineer SUV, Novato police Lt. Keith Heiden said. A boy was found in the area and said he had been driving the vehicle when it was struck by a blue Volkswagen Jetta. Investigators found evidence that corresponded with the boy’s story.

The boy, who had minor injuries, told police that he just took the SUV for a ride. He was cited for taking a vehicle without the owner’s knowledge and for driving without a license, then was released to the custody of a relative, Heiden said.

Police are continuing to investigate the crash and look for the owner of the second car.