COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 13-year-old boy was among four teenagers who were involved in two separate stolen-vehicle crashes Wednesday morning, according to the Columbus Division of Police.
The incident happened just before 1:30 a.m. in the 1300 block of Lockbourne Road near Deshler Park on the southeast side.
Officers arrived and found a black Hyundai sedan in the front yard of a home. Police said there was evidence that the vehicle was stolen.
Detectives learned that the driver, a 13-year-old boy, lost control of the vehicle and struck the front porch of the home before coming to a stop.
The teen was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital in serious condition. It is unclear what charges he could face. The vehicle was impounded at the Columbus Police Impound Lot.
The second incident happened at 3:45 a.m. when officers attempted to make a traffic stop on a silver Kia Optima at Bonnie Court and Demorest Road on the southwest side.
Police said the vehicle did not stop and left the area at a high rate of speed. Officers attempted to keep the car in sight but were unable to.
Police said a few minutes later, officers found that the vehicle struck a tree in front of a home in the 3200 block of Briggs Road, located a mile from the traffic stop scene.
Officers determined the driver left the scene of the crash on foot, but a 16-year-old boy who was a passenger was still at the scene. He was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital and his condition was described as stable.
There was evidence that the Kia was stolen, according to police.
At 4:30 a.m., police found and arrested two 17-year-old boys in the 900 block of Stephen Drive West — located half a mile from the crash scene. Officers believe they were inside the Kia when the crash happened and left the scene before police arrived.
It is unclear what charges the teens in both incidents could face.