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Grand Theft Auto saves lives
Sean Ridgeley - Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 | 8:53AM (PT) 0 Favourites (0)


Didn't see that coming, didcha?

Grand Theft Auto saves lives Image 1

One of the reigning kings of the media's gaming violence coverage, the Grand Theft Auto series has, in an unusual set of events, turned all that on its head.

Audrey Plique, of Streator, Illinois, rescued her family in a vehicle accident, knowing rollovers can lead to explosions from GTA.

"She just knew, from playing 'Grand Theft Auto.' She saw on there that when a car rolls over, it can blow up. She knew that could happen to us," Karen Norris, her mother said.

The story is such: this time last week, at about 9 pm, the family was on its way to visit relatives when the husband, Robert, felt lightheaded. The 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee drifted off the road, at this point moving about 55-60mph, striking a guardrail and flipping a total of four times before resting on its side in a ditch. The roof was caved in, back window was broken, and both parents lost their glasses. Everyone -- including the three children, Audrey, the 9 year-old sister, April Smith, and the 7 year-old brother, Robbie Norris III -- was wearing seatbelts.

"It was a pretty scary experience," said Audrey. "I was really scared. I didn't know what to do. But I knew I had to help."

So, she climbed out the back window, pulled her mother out the same way, then helped the rest of the family. They then flagged down a passing vehicle, and got them to call 911.

"She showed the kind of bravery and courage you don't expect from an 11-year-old," Norris said. "She stayed composed. She sounded upset, but she knew the things she had to get done to help her parents and her siblings."

Injuries were had, of course, but nothing beyond cuts and bruises.

"My mom said that because of me, her babies are safe," Audrey said. "When I heard her say that, I was really relieved."

While this might not exactly make you want to go out and buy Grand Theft Auto IV for your 11 year-old: what a kid, right?

Source: The Times

Sections: Console Games, PC Games

  • 0 thumbs!
    x_revenge since Nov 2007 | Sep 3, 08
    if she was an 11-year old then she shouldn't have played gta in the first place [que millions of people nagging for everybody screwing the rating system]

    but who cares? i want to know what any of those video game haters have to say about this...

    see, you don't learn stuff like that from school...
  • 0 thumbs!
    tallteen86 since Feb 2003 | Sep 3, 08
    Hmmmmm. I don't think vehicular rollovers lead to explosions, generally. Not unless the gas leaks, and comes in contact with a spark or open flame.....

    Just the act of flipping said vehicle over doesn't cause explosions, like in GTA. That is Hollywood. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

    And yeah, she shouldn't have been playing the game, but meh, worked out fine in this case lol
  • 0 thumbs!
    bruceleethree since Nov 2005 | Sep 3, 08
    quote She saw on there that when a car rolls over, it can blow up. She knew that could happen to us,
    LOL, sorry couldn't contain myself when I read this.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Blackfalcon since Jan 2007 | Sep 3, 08
    Take that Jack Thompson!
  • 0 thumbs!
    JT gAnGstA since Apr 2007 | Sep 3, 08
    In other news: 11 year old girl shoots up restaurant in an attempt to mimic GTA 4. "She saw on there that when guns shoot, they kill people. She knew that could happen to other people," Niko Bellic, her father said. "It was a pretty scary experience," said Audrey. "I was really scared. I didn't know what to do. But I knew I had to kill.""My mom said that because of me, her babies are dead," Audrey said. "When I heard her say that, I was really relieved."



    Lol, I could not resist.
  • 0 thumbs!
    kspiess since Jun 2007 | Sep 3, 08
    GTA IV leads to murder, saving people, new laws -- it's practically a supernatural force.
  • 0 thumbs!
    OmegaFury since Jan 2008 | Sep 3, 08
    @JT gAnGstA

    ROTFFLMFAO (rolling on the *bleep*ing floor laughing my *bleep*ing ass off)

  • 0 thumbs!
    JT gAnGstA since Apr 2007 | Sep 3, 08
    ty for the feedback.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Invidia since Nov 2007 | Sep 4, 08
    I think the real message is, "If you're feeling lightheaded while driving, PULL THE *bleep* OVER!"
  • 0 thumbs!
    oni_hero since Jul 2005 | Sep 4, 08
    quote Blackfalcon
    Take that Jack Thompson!
    Lol all he will do now is say that violent games can teach you violent acts, just like they have lead to other acts of kindness and bravery, they can lead to death....

    She has just backhanded him and handed him ammo at the same time...now that takes talent.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Hellfire29 since Jun 2007 | Sep 4, 08
    GTA IV is the first GTA where rolling the car doesn't actually cause it to explode, so the kid probably was playing GTA when she less than 12.
  • 0 thumbs!
    JT gAnGstA since Apr 2007 | Sep 5, 08
    Wow. That is both interesting and very scary. I wonder how many other elementary schoolers played GTA?
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