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Unlicensed teen on joyride injuries five

NEWARK TOWNSHIP — A one-car accident Wednesday night sent five minors to the hospital.

A Mitsubishi Montero SUV driven by 15-year-old Migueila Pemberton of Beloit was traveling west on West Spring Creek Road in Newark Township when she lost control. The vehicle left the road at the T intersection of West Spring Road and South Smythe School Road, struck a tree, rolled over and came to rest on its side, according to a news release from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver and her four passengers, ages 12 to 16, were transported to Beloit Hospital to be treated for cuts and bruises.

A nearby resident called in the accident just before 9 p.m., but the incident started earlier in the evening when Pemberton allegedly took her mother’s SUV without permission—and without a driver’s license.

She was traveling west on West Spring Creek Road when town of Beloit police officer Barb Waldinger clocked the vehicle doing 59 mph in a 40-mph zone, according to reports.

Waldinger attempted to catch up with the SUV, but the 15-year-old sped up and occasionally turned out her headlights to avoid being caught, reports said.

Waldinger continued to search the area in an attempt to locate the SUV. When the call came in, she was first on the scene. Along with the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, rescue personnel from Orfordville, Beloit and the town of Beloit responded.

Pemberton was cited for reckless driving, causing bodily harm by reckless driving, causing an injury by knowingly operating without a valid driver’s license, speeding and failure to wear a seat belt.

The accident remains under investigation.