COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police said four teens were involved in two separate crashes involving stolen vehicles early Wednesday morning in Columbus. One of the drivers was just 13 years old. The others involved were 16 and 17 years old.
The first car crashed into the front porch of a home along Lockbourne Road near Deshler Park on the southeast side.
“It went up all the way over to my house from about three or four houses down,” said Denarae Holderby, who owns the home the car crashed into.
Columbus police said the driver, a 13-year-old boy, was seriously injured in the crash.
“We came outside. We saw the car sitting on the other steps down here. It was very loud and quite disturbing,” said Holderby.
Holderby said people crowded around the stolen car in front of her home, trying to help the 13-year-old driver.
“I guess the kid got out of the car. He was trying to walk or whatever. He couldn’t walk,” she said. “This is horrible. Something has to give with these kids taking these cars. They don’t have a license, they are ruining their lives.”
Now, Holderby has the burden of cleaning up the mess and paying for the damage.
A few hours later, Columbus police said another stolen car with teenagers inside crashed into a tree in front of a home along Briggs Road.
Police said a 16-year-old was there when police arrived, but the others ran away. About an hour later, police took two 17-year-olds into custody.
David Schafer, who owns the home where the car crashed, has lived there for over 50 years.
The crash was a first for him and his family.
“She woke up and said a car hit a tree in my front yard. But, by the time I got out here there were 12 police cars and three sheriff's cars in the church across the yard,” said Schafer.
The car crashed into his front tree. He said he was thankful the tree absorbed the damage.
“It would’ve hit my house, the two automobiles in the driveway. It also probably would have damaged my neighbor’s property,” he said.
It is unclear what charges the teens in both incidents could face.