Underage driver hits tree on Annandale Drive

In the land of police blotter, underage drinking charges aren't uncommon. But underage driving offenses is a bit farther and fewer in between.

Early Monday morning a 14-year-old from Huntley was driving three friends down Annandale Drive in Lake in the Hills. Not only was he two years shy of a driver's license, this young fellow hit a tree and just kept driving. Upon hearing the crash, neighbors called police to report a hit and run accident.

Hutnley Police eventually stopped the renegade driver in the 9600 block of Bennington Drive, in Huntley. He didn't go home without a nice stack of tickets, though.

LITH Police Sgt. Mark Smith said he was charged with driving without a license, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to provide information after striking private property, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, improper lane use, and curfew violation.

His three friends, a 14-year-old male from Lake in the Hills, a 15-year-old male from Lake in the Hills, and a 15-year-old female from Lake in the Hills – were charged with curfew violation.

Hopefully the worst punishment came after police finished issuing tickets – when the boy was sent home with his mom.

– Diana Sroka