Teen automotive enthusiasts report feeling “dejected” and “just real depressed” about their prospects of being allowed to buy their dream cars after their parents saw the news that a Nebraska teen was just arrested after running from the cops in his Corvette and hitting 168 mph in the process. The chase took place Monday night and went on for about 20 miles before the 16-year-old finally gave up, Nebraska’s ABC 8 News reports.
According to police, Nebraska State Patrol spotted the teen driving about 130 mph along Kearney’s 2nd Avenue, which turns into Highway 44 at the Interstate 80 interchange. Troopers attempted to pull him over, but he took off, reportedly topping out at 168 mph. He turned down Highway 6 where a trooper deployed a stop stick that slowed it down. The teen then turned onto a side street where he parked and was taken into custody. All told, the pursuit lasted about 10 minutes.
Authorities haven’t released the name of the kid since he’s a minor, sadly, the Nebraska State Patrol didn’t have enthusiasts in mind when it wrote the release, so we don’t know what generation Corvette we’re talking about here, nor do we know the trim level, whether or not it was a manual or how many were made in that particular color on that particular day. You’d think the suspect’s transmission choice and the relative rarity of his car would be part of Crime Communications 101 but apparently not.
As for why a 16-year-old had a car that was powerful enough to almost hit 170 mph on public roads, you’ll probably have to ask the parents who gave it to him. Sure, it’s possible he worked hard over the summers to earn enough money to buy a car himself, but we’re talking about a Corvette that hit 168 mph in the hands of a teen here. There’s no way a 16-year-old can bus enough tables to to come up with the, what, $25,000 at a minimum that it would take to get a Corvette that fast?
Area teens have not been deterred, though, with one telling Jalopnik, “Well, that was a Corvette, but what I want is a Ford Mustang GT, which is a totally different car. Also, I’m mature and responsible and can totally be trusted with a V8-powered car that makes more than 400 hp, and I promise I’ll go exactly the speed limit. Promise!”
H/T: Road & Track