In an unexpected event, an eight-year-old girl in Ohio drove her parents’ car on an impromptu trip to a nearby Target store, covering 10 miles (16 km) in just 25 minutes. The young driver was recorded on a dashcam as she swerved between lanes and even collided with a mailbox during her journey. Thankfully, no injuries occurred, and local residents found her safe upon reaching the store. The dashcam footage quickly went viral, generating laughter across social media platforms.
Justin Kimery, another motorist, contacted 911 to report the erratic driving, mistakenly believing an adult was behind the wheel. He informed the 911 operator, “There’s a guy in a car, he’s right behind me. He’s swerving all over, in all the lanes,” unaware that it was an eight-year-old girl driving.
The child had taken her mother’s 2020 Nissan Rogue without permission. Concerned about her absence, her parents had already notified the police when the SUV was spotted several miles away. Security footage from a neighbor’s camera showed the girl getting into the car, prompting local authorities to initiate a search.
Reports indicated that the young girl had $400 (about Rs 33,500) with her, planning to shop at Target. Police eventually found her in the store’s parking lot, where she was seen enjoying a Frappuccino while shopping. She was safely returned to her parents, and no charges were filed due to her age.
The Bedford Police humorously commented on the incident in a Facebook post, stating, “Well, I’ve finally found a woman who’s in more of a hurry to shop at Target than my wife. More of a hurry by 8 years. That’s right, an 8-year-old took mommy’s car this morning and drove to Target in Bainbridge to shop. Thankfully, she made it and was immediately located by Bainbridge Police. She’s now home safe. Not sure what she bought or if she was able to use her Target app to save 5%. We did let her finish her Frappuccino. We’re not mean.”
Watch:
an 8-year old girl in Ohio drove herself 25 minutes to Target, spent $400 and was drinking a Frappuccino when she got caught.
She’s probably grounded for a while but as soon as she’s free, I’m investing in whatever she does next pic.twitter.com/1cuBMyJzvZ
— Sheel Mohnot (@pitdesi) September 21, 2024
The story rapidly gained traction on social media, with users reacting with a mix of humor and amazement. One user joked, “She should run for President in 2056. This is a leader,” while another remarked, “The intelligence and independence of an 8-year-old is all you need to survive in the modern world.”
On the Bedford Police’s Facebook post, a commenter admitted, “I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty impressed. Some adults can’t manage that drive, let alone only hitting a mailbox.” Another added humorously, “Sometimes, you just need retail therapy at Target. No one was hurt. This post is great.”