Zebulon teen injured in hit-and-run, charges pending

ZEBULON, North Carolina (WTVD) -- A 13-year-old is in the hospital after police said he was hit by a car Saturday night.

According to Zebulon police, officers were called to Braemar Highland Drive and King Malcolm Lane around 7 p.m. after reports of a hit-and-run.

When officers arrived, they found 13-year-old Jayden King had been hit by a Nissan Maxima.

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The victim was transported to WakeMed in serious but non-life-threatening condition.

Officials said he is in good condition with at least one broken bone.

Officers located the suspect's vehicle a short time later and found that the 15-year-old driver had taken the vehicle while his mother was at work without her knowledge.

Zebulon Police Chief Tim Hayworth said the boy's mother is cooperating and is sorry the incident occurred.

However, this isn't the first time the teen has driven illegally.

"This child had driven the vehicle before and, in fact, another witness has told us that this child almost hit them head-on earlier last week," Hayworth said.

Charges will be filed and Juvenile Petitions will be obtained for felony hit-and-run, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and driving without a license.

Police are using this incident to warn parents and teenagers about the consequences of underage driving and Zebulon residents couldn't agree more.

"Always educate them," Yvette Bass said. "Things happen. We always say it won't happen to our child, or it can't happen to us. But it can happen, so just be mindful and if you have keys laying around, don't lay them around the teenagers because they're kids and they may try to get the keys and just go hang out with their friends."