A frightening scene played out Tuesday morning (July 24) when a 10-year-old Fluvanna boy and his 7-year-old brother were discovered driving down I-64 in Goochland County.
According to Capt. David Wells of the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office, the children’s custodians called 911 to report the boys and the family’s black Lexus missing at around 8:15 a.m.
“The caller stated that she thought the boys may have taken their car to drive to the Shenandoah Valley to see their dog,” Wells said in a press release.
As Fluvanna deputies were heading to the family’s home, Virginia State Police received a report at around 8:35 a.m. of a black Lexus driving erratically along I-64 eastbound near mile marker 148 (Shannon Hill).
The caller, driving a Nissan Rogue, followed the Lexus for approximately 10 miles to Gum Springs. Around Exit 159 (Gum Springs) the Lexus stuck the Nissan and then continued down the road for a short distance before crashing in the median near mile marker 160, according to state police.
Neither the boys nor the driver of the Nissan were injured in the incident.
As state police began their investigation of the crash scene, a Fluvanna County Sergeant Curtis Brandon arrived to take custody of the children.
Wells said the boys told investigators they were going to Virginia Beach. He added in an email that it’s not clear what route they took to the highway or how they got there so quickly. They have lived in Fluvanna County less than a month.
The boys have been returned to their custodians. “The matter will be referred to the Juvenile Court Services Unit and the Department of Social Services,” said Wells. “It is undetermined at this time if any petitions will be sought in this matter.”
