Teen’s First Car Ruined in Seconds by Hit-and-Run Driver

SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Surprise Police Department is currently investigating a hit-and-run incident that was captured on a Ring surveillance camera in a local neighborhood, near Litchfield and Waddell Roads. The footage shows a blue Dodge Ram truck crashing into two parked cars before fleeing the scene.

No injuries were reported; however, the damage to both vehicles is extensive. Among the affected is a 2012 Honda Civic owned by 16-year-old Aiden Marlatt, who had recently acquired his first car.

“It kind of made me sick to my stomach,” Aiden remarked about the incident. At around 10 p.m. on Monday, he heard the tires screeching before the loud crash jolted him from nearly asleep.

Once he reviewed his surveillance footage, the full extent of the damage became clear. “He full throttles it straight into my car while turning and then continues to drive my car all the way up to the driveway and then completely off of it while also hitting my mom’s car in the meanwhile,” Aiden explained, detailing the impact and subsequent destruction.

His mother, Kim Marlatt, expressed frustration as her vehicle also suffered damage but not as severe as Aiden’s. “The whole back of my car (is) rattling, which is definitely not safe to drive,” Aiden added.

In a bid to find the driver, Kim shared the video on social media community groups. “Surprise has literally stepped up for us. The people that have found this vehicle around town all day long and messaging me has been amazing,” she stated, showing gratitude for the supportive local community.

According to Surprise Police, no arrests have been made as of Tuesday evening, but the investigation is active. “It sucks to be held responsible for something we didn’t do,” Kim Marlatt remarked. The family plans to reach out to their insurance for claims amidst the ongoing investigation.

Aiden hopes that other neighbors may have captured additional footage that could help identify the truck and its driver. “I’m going to see if hopefully someone’s camera caught his license plate because unfortunately ours did not,” he commented, feeling a lingering sense of loss over the new vehicle.

“All of that hard work is just gone now,” Aiden lamented, reflecting on the impact this incident has had on him and his family.