Police: 14-year-old driver hits utility pole in Lakewood; 10-year-old dies in wreck

A 10-year-old boy died Monday night after a car driven by a 14-year-old hit a utility pole in Lakewood, police said.

The sedan had four boys inside who were friends: the 14-year-old driver, a 14-year-old front-seat passenger, and an 11-year-old and the 10-year-old in the back seat, police spokesman Chris Lawler said.

They were all taken to Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital. The three older boys were expected to recover.

The car belonged to one boy’s parents and was taken without permission, according to police.

After a minor wreck with another car about 4 p.m. at Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest and Veterans Drive Southwest, the 14-year-old driver sped down Veterans Drive, where he hit the pole near Interlaaken Drive Southwest, Lawler said.

That caused the car to spin into a tree.

The older boys ran off, but officers found them quickly: one at his house close by and another on a nearby street, Lawler said.

Police expected to arrest the driver on suspicion of vehicular homicide.

There was no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved.

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 8:09 AM with the headline "Police: 14-year-old driver hits utility pole in Lakewood; 10-year-old dies in wreck."