Las Cruces, New Mexico — Newly released body-camera footage reveals a shocking incident involving a 12-year-old boy who led Doña Ana County sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase, culminating in a head-on collision.

Deputies quickly responded and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the young driver refused to comply, initiating a dangerous pursuit through residential neighborhoods. The chase took a more alarming turn when the juvenile stopped in a parking lot to pick up three passengers, ages 12 to 15. The pursuit continued with the SUV weaving through a motel parking lot and speeding across a K-Mart parking lot.

The chase reached its climax when the stolen SUV drove down a road in the wrong direction, resulting in a head-on collision with another vehicle. Miraculously, the 12-year-old driver was not injured, but the driver of the other vehicle was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. There were also children in the victim’s car, adding to the gravity of the situation.

Upon investigation, deputies discovered ammunition for a 9mm handgun in the possession of the 12-year-old, leading them to locate a handgun that had been discarded from the moving vehicle. The body-camera footage shows the juvenile crying and claiming that he was forced to drive by the other children in the SUV.

The Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department swiftly apprehended the other youths involved. The 12-year-old was subsequently booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on multiple charges, including an outstanding warrant for conspiracy to commit burglary of a vehicle, aggravated fleeing of law enforcement, and receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle.

This incident highlights the increasing challenges law enforcement faces with juvenile offenders and underscores the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in preventing such dangerous situations.