11 Year Old Driver Leads to Arrest of Allegedly Intoxicated Uncle

A Port Hueneme man was arrested after an officer performed a traffic stop on his 11-year-old nephew who had been allegedly serving as the designated driver.

Port Hueneme police Sergeant Christopher Graham says the officer saw the driver of the vehicle as the child made a right turn.

“The kid obviously did not know how to drive a car. He was making traffic violations, weaving, the speed was erratic."

After more traffic violations, the officer pulled over the car and conducted his traffic stop.

They discovered the driver was only 11 and was propped up on a sweatshirt so he could drive.

His uncle in the passenger seat was allegedly intoxicated at the time, slumped over.

“The uncle – someone had to have propped up some clothing for him, which allowed him to reach the pedals and also see over the steering wheel." 

When asked what the child was doing, the boy originally said his uncle was teaching him to drive but then fessed up and said he "was too drunk to drive."

The man has since been identified as Genoro Lopez, and is accused of having an open container of beer with him and as he exited the vehicle, Graham says they found what appeared to be a firearm.

Lopez was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment, having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle and an outstanding warrant for being an unlicensed driver.

The boy was returned to his mother.


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