Troopers say two impaired parents were charged over the weekend after they allowed their unlicensed 15-year-old son to drive from Columbus, Ohio to Cedar Point — a more than two-hour drive.
Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) made the discovery during a traffic stop at around 8:13 a.m., about a half hour away from the theme park.
Troopers say they pulled over the driver of a Dodge Caravan for driving 83 miles per hour (mph) in the 70 mph zone.
OSHP asked the male driver for his license, but he revealed he didn’t have driver’s license or permit because, he was only 15 years old.
Troopers said the boy’s 45-year-old mother and 54-year-old father were inside of the van, obviously impaired. The boy’s sister was also in the vehicle.
The father, Timothy W. McCoy and mother, Michelle R. Kirk, both of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, were administered blood alcohol tests.
Troopers said McCoy tested .184% and Kirk tested .265% alcohol content.
Through questioning, it was determined the family planned on going to Cedar Point.
The boy told troopers he drove all the way from Columbus to Cedar Point and had been driving all night after getting lost.
Troopers released the children to their mother, Kirk. She was also charged with child endangerment and wrongful entrustment of a vehicle.
McCoy was arrested and charged with child endangerment. He’s being held in jail on a $5,000.
Both parents are expected to be arraigned in court on July 5.
