A 17-year-old boy was arrested early Saturday morning for driving under the influence after a vehicle struck two homes in the Mendenhall Valley, said a Juneau Police Department spokesperson.
At 12:08 a.m., JPD received a call of a single-vehicle crash on the 3000 block of Tongass Boulevard, said Lt. Krag Campbell in a news release. The vehicle struck two residences at speed, Campbell said, causing damage to the buildings that may exceed $300,000, according to initial estimates.
At least one of the homes was occupied at the time of the crash, police said, but the boy was the only one injured, suffering a small scratch to his hand.
The boy, who was not named according to JPD policy of not identifying minors, was arrested for driving under the influence, refusing to submit to a chemical test, resisting arrest and assault on a police officer.
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“It’s been forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for prosecution,” said Campbell in a phone interview. “DUI cases go to the state. Traffic related misdemeanors go to the state.”
After contacting the Johnson Youth Center, the boy was released to his parents, Campbell said, a regular procedure.
“Anytime we have juveniles and we have criminal charges against them, we contact the Johnson Youth Center and ask, can you guys lodge them,” Campbell said. “That’s their process. Nonviolent, non-repeat offenders, they release them to their parents.”
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
