What may have started as a thrill-seeking joyride ended with an 18-year-old facing jail — and a $5,153 damage tab.
Police in the San Diego area say the teen was arrested after allegedly using a rented U-Haul pickup truck as the centerpiece of a street stunt, tearing through an intersection while the risky driving was recorded for social media.
San Diego police later shared footage that appears to show the young driver and a passenger performing multiple maneuvers in the rental truck.
Authorities say the U-Haul incident was not the only example of dangerous driving tied to the teen.
In another clip, a white sedan can be seen weaving across freeway lanes, at one point slipping through a tight gap between surrounding cars.
According to investigators, the teen had repeatedly uploaded videos to social media that appeared to show reckless driving across the San Diego region.
Officers tracked him down Saturday, when police say he was detained while allegedly carrying out the stunts in the rented pickup.
Police estimated the damage from the U-Haul stunt at $5,153.
The teen was booked into San Diego County Central Jail on charges including felony vandalism, exhibition of speed and reckless driving.
But his legal problems may be just getting started.
Investigators have linked him to several earlier incidents involving similar activity, police said.
Those cases remain under investigation, with additional charges possible.
