Riverview Mother Arrested After Child with Autism Allegedly Drives SUV to Store, Crashes
In Riverview, a mother was arrested for allegedly letting her 11-year-old child with autism drive an SUV to a 7-Eleven, where the child subsequently crashed into a concrete barrier.
Orlando Daytona Beach Melbourne, FL, August 17, 2026 —
A Riverview mother has been arrested on suspicion of child endangerment after her 11-year-old son, who has autism, was allegedly permitted to drive an SUV to a local convenience store. The incident concluded with the child crashing the vehicle into a concrete barrier.
The Riverview Police Department has not released the name of the mother, citing an ongoing investigation. The circumstances leading to the child being allowed to drive the vehicle remain under review.
According to preliminary reports, the child drove the SUV to a 7-Eleven store. While at the location, the vehicle collided with a concrete barrier. Further details regarding the extent of the damage to the vehicle or the store property were not immediately available.
The child’s age and diagnosis of autism are noted factors in the investigation. Authorities are working to determine the full sequence of events and the mother’s level of involvement in allowing the child to operate the vehicle.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet detailed potential charges beyond the initial arrest for alleged child endangerment. The specific timeline of events and the condition of the child after the crash were not disclosed.
Story summarized from the original created by Joe.Espy@fox.com (Joe Espy) on www.fox35orlando.com, see more information here.
