Inset: Carribean Myers. Background: The vehicle Myers allegedly allowed her 11-year-old daughter to drive to a Riverview, Fla., 7-Eleven before she crashed (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office).
A Florida mom allegedly placed her 11-year-old daughter behind the wheel so the girl could drive her to 7-Eleven — but the girl crashed the car when she mistook the gas pedal for the brake.
Carribean Myers, 41, is facing charges of child abuse and permitting an unauthorized minor to drive, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
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Deputies responded around 8:30 p.m. Sunday to a 7-Eleven on Gordon Road in Riverview after the child crashed into a concrete barrier and then struck the building. The girl apparently thought she was hitting the brake, but actually pushed down on the accelerator.
Body camera video showed the vehicle’s front bumper hanging off. The storefront also sustained damage, deputies said. No one was injured.
Myers allegedly had the girl, who has autism, drive to the store from their home about 1 mile away because Myers’ license was suspended.
Cops say her driver’s license had been suspended for about two months and she has had her underage children drive her around ever since.
While everyone came out unscathed, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said it could have been a lot worse.
“Putting an 11-year-old behind the wheel is reckless and could have ended in tragedy,” Chronister said in a statement. “This mother made a dangerous decision that put her child and everyone around them at risk. Parents have a responsibility to protect their children, not place them in situations that could get them or someone else seriously hurt. We will hold anyone accountable who puts a child in danger.”
Body camera video showed deputies arresting Myers and placing her into the back of a patrol car.
Deputies took her to the Hillsborough County Jail, where she is being held without bond. Her next court date is not listed.
The post Mom let 11-year-old daughter drive to 7-Eleven before girl crashed into building after she mistook gas pedal for brake: Cops first appeared on Law & Crime.
