Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Hay River (Jan 14/02) - A 12-year-old boy has been charged with careless driving after he crashed into a minivan while trying to steer a snowmachine up a steep riverbank onto the road.

He is scheduled to appear in youth court in Hay River Feb. 12.

Nobody was injured but damages total up to $2,500.

The boy is charged with careless driving and being unlawfully on a road. RCMP used "officer's discretion" in not charging him with driving underage and without a registration, said Sgt. Don Fisher.

The van's driver, Leon Bouchard, said allowing people that young to drive unsupervised "is like giving a gun to kids."

A snowmobiler and parent himself, Bouchard wants more parents to take responsibility for their childrens' actions on snowmobiles.

His brother, Coun. Robert Bouchard, heads a council committee trying to grapple with the issue.

"I'm not sure what the solution is," he said.