RIVERVIEW, FL — A Riverview mother was arrested Sunday night after she allowed her 11-year-old child to drive a vehicle to a gas station, where the child crashed into a concrete barrier, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Deputies responded just after 8:30 p.m. to a 7-Eleven on Gordon Road after receiving reports of the crash.
Carribean Myers, 41, was in the vehicle with her child, who has autism, when the child drove from their home to the gas station, the sheriff's office said.
As the child tried to stop, the child mistakenly pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake, according to deputies.
No one was injured, but the vehicle and the building were damaged, the sheriff's office said.
During the investigation, deputies learned Myers' driver's license had been invalid since July 13.
Deputies also determined she had previously allowed her underage children to drive without a valid driver's license, HCSO said.
Myers was arrested on charges of child abuse and permitting an unauthorized minor to drive.
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