An 11-year-old boy was permitted to operate a police-sponsored drunk driving simulator at a public event in a New Jersey shore town, resulting in a collision with a crowd of onlookers. The simulator, which is designed to demonstrate the dangers of impaired driving through the use of specialized goggles, was being overseen by local police officers at the time of the incident.

A lawsuit filed in response to the event claims that the town and its police department were negligent in allowing a minor to operate the machinery. The legal filing argues that the officers involved should have recognized the inherent risks of placing a child in the driver’s seat while they were wearing impairment-simulating eyewear. The plaintiffs contend that the lack of proper barriers or safety precautions turned an educational tool into a hazard for the public.

While the specific details regarding the extent of injuries sustained by the crowd have not been fully disclosed in initial reports, the lawsuit highlights a significant lapse in safety management during a community outreach event. The town has not yet issued a formal public response to the specific allegations of negligence, though the incident has raised questions about the oversight of interactive police demonstrations involving minors.