Young children crash mother's car on way to see grandfather

The car crashed into a ditch, and a neighbour found them and called authorities.

"Luckily, they didn't pass anybody because they would've probably had a wreck before then," Mr Deweese said.

The boys made good progress toward their grandfather's farm before crashing, navigating two or three turns and even a complete right turn, Mr Deweese said.

"They were heading in the right direction," he said, but crashed about five miles short of their destination.

The brothers were checked out at a hospital but had no injuries.

Mr Deweese told news outlets deputies did not find the mother until nearly an hour after the crash.

He said she told deputies she thought the boys were playing in the front yard.

Mr Deweese said authorities are working with the prosecutor's office and Child Protective Services to determine whether charges are warranted.

AP

Earlier: Authorities in West Virginia say a five-year-old and a two-year-old took their mother's car for a three-mile ride before crashing it.

Reports say the boys took the car from their mother's house on Monday. One child steered the vehicle while the other child pushed the accelerator and brake pedals.

The ride ended when the car crashed into a ditch.

Putnam County Sheriff Steve Deweese said deputies did not find the children's mother until nearly an hour later.

He said she thought the boys were playing in the front yard.

The children were taken to the hospital to be checked out, but had no injuries.

No charges have been filed against the mother, but Mr Deweese says authorities are working with the prosecutor's office and Child Protective Services.

AP