SPOKANE COUNTY, WA — A 13-year-old runaway was taken into custody Wednesday night after deputies say he crashed a stolen pickup while attempting to flee from law enforcement in Spokane Valley.

According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 9:15 p.m. on July 10 when a caller reported a white truck swerving erratically near East Broadway Avenue and I-90. The witness told authorities it appeared the vehicle was being driven by a child.

Air 1, the Sheriff’s Office helicopter, was already airborne for a scheduled flight and quickly located the truck in the 6500 block of Broadway Avenue. The juvenile continued driving east before attempting to enter eastbound I-90, where he collided with a retaining wall. After pulling onto the shoulder, the boy tried to flee again by steering into the grass between the freeway and the on-ramp, ultimately getting the truck stuck.

Deputies and a Washington State Patrol trooper arrived and safely took the juvenile into custody. They soon discovered he had been reported as a runaway just over an hour earlier.

Investigators determined the truck was stolen from a fenced commercial lot in the 11400 block of East Montgomery within the past 24 hours. The vehicle’s fleet manager confirmed the teen had no permission to use the truck.

The juvenile was booked into Spokane County Juvenile Detention and faces charges of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle and Reckless Driving. Additional charges, including Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Burglary, are under consideration as the investigation continues.

Authorities credited a quick tip from the public and the airborne presence of Air 1 for preventing further danger to the public.