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Cops: Norwalk Dad Charged After 12-Year-Old Son Drives Into Neighbor's House

NORWALK, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- A 12-year-old Norwalk boy whose father let him drive crashed their car into a neighbor's house, police said.

As CBS 2's John Slattery reported, the crash happened Saturday afternoon on College Street in Norwalk. The tire tracks were still visible across the lawn of the home Monday, as well as damage to the house's front siding.

Giuseppi Manugus, 45, of Norwalk, is facing charges after allegedly allowing his son to drive in their driveway, with the father sitting in the passenger's seat. Someone called 911.

"The officers found, upon their arrival, a 12-year-old had been the operator of the vehicle," said police Sgt. Terrence Blake. "His father had allowed him to operate the vehicle in the driveway, but he had accidentally left the car in reverse and accelerated out of the driveway, crossing the street and striking the house across the street."

While no one was hurt, there was some damage to the house and to the Mazda hatchback that hit it.

The father declined to be interviewed by CBS 2. He is charged with risking injury by allowing a child to drive.

Patrick Jouanno, a neighbor from Paris, said he'd never teach such a young child how to drive.

"To be honest with you, in my country, we don't do this way," Jouanno said. "We do in a parking lot because it's safer."

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