If your son or daughter broke several laws trying to outrun law enforcement, would you call the police if they got away?

A Youngstown mother was faced with that decision after her son was a passenger in a high-speed chase of a stolen car in Austintown.

21 News in an exclusive interview with the mother about her decision and why she made it.

Teens in a stolen car on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown stepped on the gas when they saw blue police lights in their rearview mirror and heard sirens.

They led police on a pursuit down Mahoning Avenue, through the Giant Eagle parking lot, running red lights and stop signs, and reached speeds of up to 90 miles per hour on Route 46.

A mom of one of the teens, Damona Walker is thanking God her son, his friends, and others were not injured or killed.

"They could have been hurt, somebody could have been hurt or killed and that's not right," said Walker.

Police deployed stop strips at the intersection of Kirk and South Raccoon roads.

The driver turned on South Meridian pulled into a driveway, parked, and the three teens jumped out and fled.

The driver was caught and arrested after a foot pursuit.

An hour later a second suspect was arrested by a Mahoning Sheriff's Deputy.

The third suspect, a passenger in the car got away.

That suspect's mom tells 21 News she became suspicious when she received a call from her son early in the morning asking him to pick him up at an apartment complex.

She became more suspicious when he was covered in mud.

Walker tells us her 17-year-old son has been traveling the wrong road for the past few years, and although it broke her heart she called the police and turned him in.

Walker tells us house arrest and other measures haven't worked, adding if her son turns his life around now, he won't have a felony record and a tough road in life that follows after he reaches the age of 18.

Her 17-year-old son had just been in trouble in January of 2022, and this was not the first time her son had been in a stolen vehicle according to his mom.

"It's like my son is lost out here. He's lost and I'm trying to save him," Walker cried.

There were tears in her eyes as she emphasized if parents don't do something they will be burying more children this summer.

"I'm just trying to save my child, and the people it's time for us to stand up. Hopefully, this can help. It's time for us to stand up and hold our children accountable for their actions, and stop making it like it's ok. It's not ok," added Walker.

"Nine times out of 10, we know what they doing, but as parents, it's hard to turn your children in. It's hard to do stuff like that. It's better when you do it. I know he's safe, and I know other people are safe," Walker said.


"A felony record follows you. It is not worth it. My son is very bright. He's smart and outgoing. If he wants to do something he can do it, I don't let my kids say I can't," Walker emphasized.

I had been afraid my son would hate me, but it's ok to turn your children in for their behavior. It's ok to feel your child hates you, it's ok to be the parent I'm being today. It's time to stop worrying about what our kids think of us. For a long time I did that," Walker said.

"Everybody we just need to come together and see what we can do for these boys because they're lost and if we don't come together and figure it out, I guarantee you by summertime we will have at least 10 bodies, so we need to do something about it, and it starts with me," Walker said.

Fathers are important in children's and teens' lives. Fathers need to be there for their children.

Walker has support on social media but one person did call her a snitch.

"I was called a snitch today and it didn't bother me because I'm saving my child, and I advise them to do the same, I really do, or it's going to be much worse than this feeling I'm feeling now because it hurts, but it can hurt so much more burying your child, so save your child," said Walker.