A 16-year-old kid in California managed to escape this grizzly-looking wreck with only minor injuries. The local authorities say he was wearing a seat belt, perhaps the smartest choice he made during the drive. Police also called him out for driving above his skill level with tires in extremely poor condition too.
The accident took place somewhere near or in Fresno California and was first reported by police there. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said that the young driver “ran out of driving talent, lost control, slid into a wooden power pole and rolled over.” They did not release the name of the minor involved in the crash or the exact location.
From the photos, it’s easy to see that some infrastructure damage and a totaled muscle car could’ve been far from the worst outcome. The roof, hood, and windshield of the Dodge Challenger are completely destroyed. The RoadOne Cavalry UHP tires on this Challenger likely didn’t help maintain control as they’re practically bald.
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The CHP credited the driver’s seat belt with reducing the injuries sustained. They also provided a few tips on how to avoid this type of single-vehicle unforced accident starting with slowing down. There’s no word on exactly how fast this driver was going or exactly what type of conditions they were dealing with but clearly it was too fast for them and their tires to handle.
Authorities also strongly advised wearing a seatbelt as you never know when it’ll save your life or the life of others in your vehicle. They also mentioned the suspect tires saying “bald tires can significantly increase the chances of losing control.”
Finally, the CHP says to “drive within your experience… it’s essential to challenge yourself gradually,” it said. Certainly, it’s difficult to know where that limit is when you’re a young driver and we’re just happy to report that this one will have further chances to hone their skill in the future.
And if you’re wondering, according to California’s DMV, minors under 18 with a provisional instruction permit can drive a car alone without a parent or a driver who is 25 years or older, as long as it’s between 5 am and 11 pm for the first 12 months.
