Hopkinsville teen charged with wanton endangerment, felony auto theft

A Hopkinsville teenager is facing charges after allegedly being found driving a vehicle without permission on North Drive Sunday with other minors in the vehicle.

According to Hopkinsville police, officers were patrolling on North Drive when they observed a vehicle going over the speed limit and conducted a traffic stop.  Upon contact with the driver, the officer could immediately tell they were not old enough to be driving and determined the driver was 15-years-old. 

The teen allegedly gave officers a false name—a 14-year-old was in the passenger side seat and when officers were able to get in contact with the driver’s mother, she told them there should be another child.  That child, a nine-year-old, was found laying the back floor board of the vehicle.

The driver reportedly did not have permission to be operating that vehicle. 

The driver was arrested and charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, felony theft of a vehicle, giving officers false identifying information and no operators license.