Police: 13-year-old boy was behind wheel of car that struck girl

Police on Thursday said a 13-year-old boy was behind the wheel of the car that caused a chain-reaction crash that injured an 8-year-old Monday night in Pittsburgh's Knoxville neighborhood.

The boy, who police did not identify because he is a juvenile, is charged with receiving stolen property, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, fleeing and driving without a license, according to Public Safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler.

Toler said the boy was behind the wheel about 10:40 p.m. Monday when patrol officers noticed the vehicle going the wrong way down a one-way street. It was badly damaged and had one flat tire.

Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled before crashing into a parked truck on Moore Avenue, Toler said. The crash pushed the truck onto the sidewalk and into an 8-year-old girl.

Three people bailed out of the car and took off. The 13-year-old driver arrested Thursday will be taken to Shuman Juvenile Detention Center, Toler said. No other charges have been filed.

The injured girl was taken to Children's Hospital of UPMC of Pittsburgh. Toler said she is reported to be recovering well from a leg injury.

Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer.