Louisiana State Troopers Catch 8-year-old Driving On Interstate with Dad Drunk, Passed Out In Vehicle

Early this morning around 6:30am Louisiana State Troopers stopped an eight-year-old boy on I-12 who managed to drive a pickup truck from Mississippi to Livingston Parish. A concerned driver had phoned in to police about a green Chevrolet pick-up that was being driven erratically by what looked like a child.

That concerned driver was right, and if that wasn't bad enough his four-year-old sister was along for the ride in the back seat while his 28-year-old father, Billy Joe Madden was intoxicated and passed out in the passenger seat.

Troopers determined that the driver was an eight (8) year old with his four (4) year old sister in the rear seat and their father, Billy Joe Madden (W/M, age 28) of Hattiesburg, MS, in the passenger seat," Trooper Melissa Matey said in a news release.  "While interviewing Madden, Troopers determined that he was intoxicated and was sleeping while his son drove the vehicle from Hattiesburg, MS enroute to Dallas, TX.

[via WWL]

Investigators say both children were turned over to the state and are awaiting the arrival of a family member. The father was arrested and charged with two counts of child desertion, parent allowing a minor to drive, open container (alcohol), two counts of no child restraint and no seatbelt.

Right now, I'm speechless. Please feel free to comment.