Police in Nanaimo say a 13-year-old girl may face charges after she allegedly took her parents' vehicle without permission, drove at more than double the posted limit and crashed in central Nanaimo in the early morning hours of July 25.
High speed, short chase and a crash
According to Nanaimo RCMP, an officer observed the vehicle travelling southbound on Terminal Avenue at about 2 a.m. and clocked the car at 118 km/h in a posted 50 km/h zone. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the car evaded the officer while travelling at high speed.
Rather than continue a high-speed pursuit, the officer reportedly disengaged and alerted other units. Shortly after, police received a report that the same vehicle had gone off the road in central Nanaimo. Officers located the damaged vehicle, conducted a search of the area and arrested the alleged driver.
“This incident could have ended very differently,” said Donovan Tait, operations officer with Nanaimo RCMP. “Speeds more than double the posted limit, combined with an inexperienced and unlicensed driver, create an extreme risk to everyone using our roads. Fortunately, no one was injured.”
The girl was released from custody to a guardian. The vehicle sustained damage and had to be towed from the scene. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
Local implications and policing choices
The case underscores two recurring concerns in Nanaimo and other urban centres: how keys and access to vehicles are secured in family homes, and how police balance public safety against the risks of pursuing a fleeing vehicle.
- Vehicle security: RCMP reiterated a reminder to parents and guardians to secure vehicle keys and speak with youth about the consequences of taking a vehicle without permission.
- Pursuit policy implications: officers chose to disengage from a high-speed chase and coordinate units — a decision that reflects the risks pursuits pose to bystanders when speeds exceed safe limits.
- Youth and road safety: an unlicensed, inexperienced driver at high speed substantially increases the risk of serious harm to the driver and other road users.
Those elements are familiar in local discussions about road safety and youth behaviour. Families with teenagers often face questions about supervision, access to keys and the importance of clear conversations about driving and consequences. Community groups and schools across the region also stress graduated learning and the steep learning curve associated with new drivers.
Timeline at a glance
| When | What |
|---|---|
| About 2 a.m., July 25 | Vehicle observed on Terminal Avenue; speed clocked at 118 km/h in 50 km/h zone |
| Shortly after | Officer attempted stop; vehicle evaded and officer disengaged to avoid dangerous pursuit |
| Shortly thereafter | Vehicle reported off the road in central Nanaimo; located and towed; driver arrested and released to guardian |
RCMP said that, fortunately, no one was injured. The operations officer's comment about how the incident could have ended very differently is likely to resonate among residents who use those streets at all hours.
The investigation remains active. Police have not released additional details about potential charges or any follow-up actions, and no other individuals have been identified in media releases. The incident will likely feed local conversations about strategies to prevent unauthorized access to family vehicles and about how to keep roads safe for all users.
As Nanaimo continues to grow, incidents like this highlight the interplay between family responsibility, youth education, and policing policy — and the very real consequences that can follow when those elements fail to align.
