Teen-Ager’s First Drive Leaves Police Bruised but Sympathetic

A Granada Hills teen-ager lived a new driver’s nightmare when his first unsupervised trip behind the wheel ended in a collision with two Los Angeles motorcycle officers, investigators said Sunday.

Neither officer was seriously hurt in the collision with a car making a left turn in front of them. The young driver, who had just received his license on his 16th birthday March 12, was guiding his parents’ compact northbound from Parthenia Street onto Reseda Boulevard in Northridge at 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Police said he drove into the officers, who were heading in the opposite direction on Parthenia.

Officer Bobby Hill, 43, came away with a pulled calf muscle and Officer Karl Schott, 43, suffered a mild concussion and other minor injuries, Sgt. Ken Staggs said.

Staggs read from a statement that the driver, whose name was withheld because of his age, made to police: “I had driver’s training in November. Since I got my permit, I have driven three or four times a week. . . . Both my mom and dad have been teaching me. Today was my first day of driving alone.”

The driver, uninjured, was not immediately cited for a traffic violation. However, police are planning to recommend to the city attorney that he be issued a summons for failing to yield to oncoming traffic when making a left-hand turn.

“Everybody’s been 16 and remembers their first solo ride in a car, and we feel for the kid,” said Staggs. “But . . . we have to enforce the law.”