Police identify father of 10-year-old driver caught on the Loop 101 near Scottsdale

PHOENIX — Authorities arrested a Phoenix man on suspicion of letting his 10-year-old son drive on Loop 101 around Scottsdale on Saturday.

Impairment may have played a role in the incident, as authorities said they found 49-year-old Alvaro Ovando Alvarez with an open container of alcohol in the red pickup truck.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety allegedly received reports of the truck weaving and speeding on the 101 at milepost 34 near Scottsdale Road at around 3:30 p.m.

According to police, a trooper located the vehicle and attempted to stop it after the vehicle changed lanes unsafely.

The driver reportedly failed to stop and the trooper began to pursue the vehicle at 3:44 p.m.

Why was the 10-year-old driver on the road?

The driver reportedly stopped at 3:47 p.m. at milepost 26 before the 7th Street off-ramp.

According to authorities, the officer who approached the car confirmed the driver was only 10 years old. Alvarez was in the passenger seat.

ADOT spokesman Raul Garcia told KTAR News 92.3 FM that Alvarez was booked into the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office jail at 4th Avenue. He faces multiple charges:

– Child abuse and endangerment

– Aggravated DUI and having an open container of alcohol in the car

– Unlawfully permitting a minor to drive

Officials said Alvarez’s son isn’t facing any criminal charges.

This is a developing story.

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