Minn. man arrested for letting cousin, 8, drive
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A Minnesota man was arrested after he allegedly let his 8-year-old cousin drive a car that then crashed into another vehicle in St. Paul, reports CBS Minnesota.
Blake Folson, 25, was in the passenger seat of the Jeep Cherokee at the time of the crash last Monday, authorities said. According to eyewitnesses, Folson had been steering the car and letting his young cousin operate the gas pedal and brakes, and as they approached an intersection, the child made an abrupt U-turn and crashed into a Buick that had been behind it.
According to the station, Folson first told police the 8-year-old had taken his car keys and took off, and that he tried to stop the child. However, the child's older sister told police Folson was already in the Jeep before his cousin. She also informed officials that Folson often let his juvenile family members drive, CBS Minnesota reported.
The boy told police he was driving the Jeep when it crashed and said "it was stupid." The child told police he was not wearing a seat belt when he was driving. His mother said she was unaware that Folson allowed her son to drive.
According to CBS Minnesota, Folson admitted "I ended up letting him drive" and also that he had let other young cousins drive before.
No one was seriously injured in the accident.
Folson is being charged with child endangerment and could face up to one year in prison and a $3,000 fine if convicted.
He is due in court next month.