A Brownwood teen was hospitalized Tuesday night after he allegedly stole a vehicle and was later involved in an accident in Erath County.

According to Brownwood assistant Chief of Police James Fuller, the 14-year-old boy told his sister that he planned to “get a car and leave town,” and carried out that plan Tuesday afternoon. 

A gold 2001 Buick Century was stolen from the 1600 block of Broadmoor Drive in Brownwood sometime between 3:00-3:30 PM Tuesday.  The owner of the vehicle told police that it had been parked in the driveway of her residence with the keys in the ignition. 

According to Fuller, the teen made it as far as Bluff Dale in Erath County, just north of Stephenville on US Hwy 377, where he struck a utility pole around 9 PM.  The teen was airlifted to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth where he is listed in critical condition, said Fuller.

Fuller also said that the police are familiar with the teen and have dealt with him before.  The vehicle was recovered but badly damaged from the accident, Fuller reported.