Alamogordo Police: 12-year-old girl driving drunk in family car, fled from police

Authorities say an intoxicated 12-year-old girl went on joy ride in the family car with three other children inside, leading police on pursuit on a New Mexico highway.

The Alamogordo Daily News reported Wednesday that the car fled from Alamogordo police and drove onto U.S. Highway 70 where she passed a New Mexico State Police vehicle.

Alamogordo police say the car then drove through a dirt lot and nearly struck an Otero County deputy. The chase ended when the car spun out of control and hit a speed limit sign. No one was injured.

The young driver was referred to juvenile services on charges of reckless driving and DWI. According to police documents, the four children told authorities that they all had been drinking.

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ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom has learned two of the children riding as passengers in the car were 12 years old and another was 13.

According to a police report obtained by ABC-7, the 12-year-old Tularosa girl waited until her parents were asleep to take the family car. She picked up two of her friends in Tularosa, then drove to Alamogordo, where she picked up a third friend.

Police said officers searching for a suspect in a different case spotted the girl driving and intiated a pursuit.

Alamogordo Police Chief Brian Peete said the girl nearly struck one of his officers during the pursuit.

Peete said the pursuit lasted about an hour, ending near Highway 70 and U.S. 54. No one was injured.