Detriot Press:
IN A MINUTE: Boy, 4, gets behind wheel to get to store
February 8, 2005
TEST DRIVE
At least he wasn't speeding.
A 4-year-old boy drove his mother's car to a video store a quarter-mile from their apartment in Sand Lake, about 15 miles north of Grand Rapids.
Unable to reach the accelerator, the boy managed to put the car in gear and make his way to the store about 1:30 a.m. Friday, Sand Lake police said. Finding the store closed, the youngster began a slow trip home.
Weaving and with its headlights off, the car got the attention of Sgt. Jay Osga. He flipped on his lights when the car turned into the apartment complex and struck a parked car. The boy put the car in reverse and struck Osga's cruiser.
"He knew how to go from forward to reverse," Osga said Monday. "The mother said she taught him how to drive by letting him sit on her lap and steer."
Osga then discovered the boy inside.
"He's 4 years old. His mom didn't even know he was up," Sand Lake Police Chief Doug Heugel said. "I don't think he even realizes what he did."
No charges will be filed against the boy or his mother, Heugel said.