A 13-year-old girl led Nebraska police officers on a high-speed chase for nearly 20 minutes before authorities were able to stop the vehicle and take her and an 11-year-old passenger into custody, the Nebraska State Patrol said.
Police officers saw the Nissan Pathfinder Monday night traveling at approximately 35 miles per hour on Interstate 80 near Kearney and attempted to stop traffic, according to a news release. A spokesman said the vehicle was traveling below the posted minimum speed limit, prompting the stop.
The teenage driver allegedly sped up and fled officers «at a high speed,» according to the statement. During the chase, the vehicle reached speeds in excess of 100 kilometers per hour.
Authorities used stop sticks to slow the vehicle. The teen allegedly left the interstate but continued the pursuit at a slower speed.
«Shortly thereafter, troopers were able to successfully perform a tactical vehicle intervention to stop the vehicle,» the Nebraska State Patrol said.
The entire chase lasted about 16 minutes.
The teenage driver and the 11-year-old boy, from Colorado, were taken into custody without further incident and taken into protective custody, the agency said. Agents searched the vehicle and located a firearm and a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to the news release.
The driver was cited for hit and run to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and numerous traffic violations, the spokesperson said.
The passenger was cited for carrying a concealed weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia.
austin mullen contributed.