Teen driver killed as car crashes into streetlight

sharjah — A 16-year-old Arab boy died after the car he was driving crashed into a streetlight in Sharjah’s Al Dhaid area. The teenager’s friend, who was with him in the car, sustained critical injuries in the accident that took place on Saturday morning.

The car belonged to the deceased’s older brother, who was unaware that the former had taken it out for a spin.

On being alerted about the crash, the police rushed to the site and transported the two teenagers to Al Dhaid Hospital. The driver succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning, the police said. His friend is recuperating in the intensive care unit.

“The teenager did not know how to drive. He took the key without his brother’s knowledge and tried to drive the car. Instead of applying the brakes when he saw the streetlight, he stepped on the accelerator and crashed,” a police official said.

The officer called on parents to monitor their teenage children and ensure they don’t drive without obtaining a driver’s licence.