12-year-old investigated for DWI after chase, crash in Austin Monday morning

AUSTIN, TX (KTRK) -- A 12-year-old in Austin is being investigated for driving while intoxicated after a chase and crash with police Monday morning.

The boy was spotted by a patrol officer around 7:30 am weaving in and out of traffic, police said. The officer initially thought the driver was texting, but begin to suspect DWI after seeing the car go over the center line, Austin's public information officer Iban Ramos said in a news conference.

The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the boy kept driving, eventually hitting another car in a "light head-on collision" Ramos said. The boy, who wasn't identified, kept driving.

A few blocks later, the boy drove into an electric pole, stopping the car. He was taken to a hospital for minor injuries.

Police say he's now under investigation for DWI, failure to stop and render aid and evading police.

Ramos couldn't immediately pinpoint what led police to believe the 12-year-old had been drinking, but said there was evidence that led officers to the conclusion.

"We're not going to say it's possible alcohol-involved if we don't believe there's alcohol involved," Ramos said.

The boy is facing the charges as a juvenile, Ramos said.

No one else was injured.