Teen driver hits townhouse, ruptures gas line

SCOTTSDALE - A 16-year-old girl crashed her vehicle into a townhouse in Scottsdale on Saturday, forcing evacuations of neighboring houses while gas lines were shut off.

A police spokesman said she had her learner's permit and her father was in the car with her.

Twelve people were evacuated from adjacent townhouses for about an hour and a half after the crash as officials from Southwest Gas shut off gas lines. Scottsdale Fire Department and hazardous materials personnel responded along with the Scottsdale city building inspector.

The accident occurred at 15550 Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, said Sgt. Mark Clark of the Scottsdale Police Department. There were no reported injuries and nobody was home at the townhouse.

In addition to rupturing the gas line, the crash also caused structural damage.

Clark said that the girl likely swerved to avoid something before hitting the house. No other cars were involved in the crash.