Family Van Flips After Dad Lets Son, 13, Go For Joy Ride: Cops

A Boonton Township man got himself into hot water recently after letting his 13-year-old son take the family van out for a joy ride.

On Sunday, May 15, Boonton Township Police responded Farber Hill Road for a report of an overturned vehicle with occupants possibly trapped inside, Sgt. Thomas Cacciabeve said in a press release.

When officers and fire fighters arrived they found the two occupants – a 13-year-old juvenile and his 55-year-old father – had escaped by breaking out a back window and crawling to safety, Cacciabeve said.

An investigation revealed the father allowed the child to drive the vehicle while dad sat in the passenger seat, Cacciabeve said. The boy lost control of the van, which then flipped over and came to rest against a tree. Neither father or son suffered any injuries.

The father, who’s name is not being released to protect the identity of the child, was charged with allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle, failure to wear a seatbelt, and having an unregistered vehicle.

Photos Courtesy Boonton Township Police