Boy in Hainan, 12, allegedly on drugs, steals family's Mercedes & crashes into supermarket, kills at least 3

A 12-year-old boy from China's Hainan province stole his family's black Mercedes-Benz and drove it on the road for around 3km, allegedly killing three pedestrians before crashing into a supermarket.

He was suspected of being under the influence of drugs, according to HK01.

The incident occurred on Apr. 7 in Danzhou, Hainan, with witnesses saying that the vehicle was out of control.

HK01 reported that no official statement has been released regarding the incident to date.

Allegedly killed 2 children and 1 elderly person

According to HK01, the boy collided with multiple cars, motorcycles and pedestrians.

The accident allegedly resulted in the deaths of at least three people, including one elderly person and two children.

In a video shared on X, an elderly man was seen lying on the ground amidst scattered debris and vehicle parts.

The car ran over multiple motorcycles before coming to a stop at the entrance steps of the supermarket. What appeared to be blood could be seen leaking from under the car.

网传海南男孩驾奔驰一路乱撞 造成至少3亡

日前，海南儋州发生一起驾车撞人事件。一名男孩嗑药后开车在大街上一路冲撞，据传至少造成三人死亡。… pic.twitter.com/pGmjTCFWur

— 德潤傳媒 (@DXDWX999) April 10, 2026

Netizens allege boy overdosed on cough suppressants

According to HK01, video footage showed the boy abandoning the car and attempting to flee as witnesses shouted: "He's running away".

Police arrived, only to find out he was around 12 years old.

HK01 reported that it is understood that the boy stole the car rented by his family.

It also reported that netizens alleged that the boy may have overdosed on dextromethorphan, an over-the-counter cough suppressant.

Overdoses can lead to impaired motor function, dissociative episodes, aggressive behaviour, and audio and visual hallucinations, according to the American Addiction Centers.

Top photo from DXDWX999/X