Greg Risling
COSTA MESA -- The life of a Costa Mesa teenager, who celebrated his
17th birthday Sunday, remains uncertain after his younger brother
accidentally ran over his head with a truck while they were trying to
steal three compact discs.
The teen, whose name wasn't released, is trying to recuperate from
head injuries he suffered in the accident at Western Medical Center in
Santa Ana. The boy is listed in critical condition, authorities said.
The brothers accompanied two friends into a Wherehouse music store on
the 400 block of E. 17th Street on Saturday night. Police said the boys
grabbed three compact discs and ran outside as store employees chased
them.
The younger brother, 15, jumped behind the wheel of his parents' 1999
Ford pickup truck while his older sibling ran onto the truck's bed.
They drove away and went to a nearby parking lot at 17th Street and
Santa Ana Avenue, where the driver slowed the truck before accelerating.
His older brother tried to jump out of the bed and run away but fell to
the ground, police added.
The right rear wheel of the truck, which was traveling between 10 and
25 mph, ran over the victim's head.
When police and paramedics arrived, the other two boys had fled the
scene but the driver was tending to his injured brother.
"It was a prank that went awry and turned into tragedy," Costa Mesa
Police Lt. John FitzPatrick said. "The driver is going to have to live
with this the rest of his life. Our hearts go out to the family."
The younger boy was detained by police and released into the custody
of his parents. FitzPatrick said the Orange County District Attorney's
office will decide later this week if criminal charges will be filed
against the boys.
"We are trying to determine whether we have a traffic accident or a
criminal investigation," he added.
The younger brother reportedly had a learner's permit but was supposed
to be in the presence of an adult when driving.
The teens' family couldn't be reached for comment Sunday.
