Police in B.C. say they broke into van after autistic teen tried to drive and crashed

Police squad car lights. FILE PHOTO (Daniel J. Rowe/CTV News)

Police in the Fraser Valley say an officer had to break the window of a van to shut off the vehicle after a 14-year-old autistic girl gained access and crashed into multiple obstacles while trying to keep driving.

Mission RCMP say the case happened on April 16, when staff at a group home called police about the non-verbal autistic girl who managed to obtain the keys for the home’s Dodge Grand Caravan minivan.

Police say the girl got into the vehicle and started driving it, crashing into a parked car and a fence before backing into a tree and becoming stuck.

The officer responding to the call says the situation was dangerous upon arrival, with the girl not communicating with anyone while still seated in the driver’s seat with the engine running.

Police say the officers broke the passenger side window in order to minimize trauma to the autistic teen and was then able to shut off the vehicle.

Staff at the home then began communicating with the teen who eventually exited the vehicle willingly, and no injuries were reported.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2026.