Pennsylvania police have arrested a New Castle man after accusing him of forcing an 8-year-old girl to get behind the wheel because he was too intoxicated to drive himself.
WPXI reports that Kevin Michael Cook, 24, allegedly instructed the young child to start driving to East Palestine, Ohio. The girl reportedly told officers they that left from her grandmother’s home. Darlington Township police believed the suspect intended for the girl to take them across state lines.
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Two bystanders are said to have stopped the pair after seeing them narrowly avoid two wrecks. The two witnesses also stopped Cook from fleeing the scene, reports indicate.
The 8-year-old also claims that Cook switched seats with her, hopping into the driver’s seat, before police arrived.
Arriving officers said Cook was so drunk that he couldn’t finish a sobriety test. At one point, an officer caught the suspect to prevent him from falling, police allege.
Darlington Township Police Chief Al Filauri later revealed to WPXI that the New Castle man isn’t related to the young girl and described him as a family friend.
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Cook was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, driving under the influence, and driving without a license in connection with the September 3 incident. It is unclear whether he has been released from custody or when he is scheduled to appear in court.
[Featured Image: WPXI/screenshot]
