A 7-year-old who wants to be a truck driver when he grows up got in some early practice on Sunday morning when he took his little sister on a drive to McDonald's while his mother slept.
Whitney Bush, a single mom from Clearfield, Utah, told KTVX that she had checked on her children early in the morning and returned to bed. Hours later, police came to her door to inform her that her vehicle—and two of her children—were missing.
"I absolutely had my heart in my stomach," Bush said. "I had no idea what was going on."
Around 8 a.m., Ogden Police received reports of a reckless driver and began pursuing the vehicle. They quickly realized the driver was a child and disengaged pursuit to avoid further risk. The car soon crashed into a parking strip and police found both the young drive and his 5-year-old sister unharmed.
Bush acknowledged that her son had previously exhibited behavior challenges but that an escalation this extreme was a surprise. "I don't think anybody wakes up thinking their 7-year-old is going to play 'Grand Theft Auto' with their vehicle," she said.
The boy said he was planning to go to McDonald's and even brought money, although he reportedly passed several McDonald's restaurants on his 10 mile excursion.
"He's in a world of trouble," she said. "Probably grounded for the rest of his life."
Still, the boy proudly noted that he wore his seatbelt during the drive.
Bush acknowledged her son's determination. "He's got a family full of truck drivers. He's gonna be a truck driver someday," she said. "That's what he wants to do. I told him it's not gonna be today, he's gotta wait."
No charges will be filed due to the child's age, but Bush said she will require him to perform community service for neighbors. Meanwhile her car is in a tow yard, possibly totaled.
