Police in Union County, North Carolina, say a traffic stop Thursday morning led to a surprising discovery when the driver turned out to be a 12-year-old boy.
According to the Monroe Police Department, officers stopped an SUV around 8:32 a.m. after noticing it had a fictitious license plate. When they approached the vehicle, they found a 12-year-old behind the wheel.
The boy reportedly told officers he had missed his school bus and decided to drive himself to Monroe Middle School. Police said the school’s first bell rings at 7:53 a.m., meaning he was already nearly 40 minutes late to class.
Safely Escorted to School
After stopping the vehicle at the intersection of Seymour Street and North Charlotte Avenue, officers contacted a school resource officer. The student was later transported to school and released to authorities. No injuries were reported.
Authorities Emphasize Safety
Police said the North Carolina Department of Transportation requires drivers to be at least 15 years old and follow a graduated licensing process until age 18.
In a statement, the department reminded parents and guardians to secure vehicle keys and prevent unsupervised access to vehicles, noting that allowing an unlicensed juvenile to drive creates significant safety risks. Officials also confirmed that the Department of Social Services has been contacted and that they are working with the boy’s family to ensure his safety and well-being.
