KPTV: A 4-year-old boy's brief joyride in his family's minivan came to an abrupt end when he crashed into a ditch Friday afternoon, fire officials said.

The boy's mother told police that the 4-year-old used a stool to retrieve the keys off a key rack in their apartment. He then unlocked the van, started the vehicle and put the vehicle into drive, the mother said.

According to a witness, the boy accelerated the van and drove 100 feet before turning left into a ditch. The witness called 911 and helped the boy out of the van, fire officials said.

When Cowlitz County firefighters arrived, they found the back of the minivan sticking into the air with the rear wheel off the ground, said Capt. Mike Zainfeld in a press release.

The boy wasn't injured and the van sustained minimal damage, Zainfeld said. The crash occurred at about 3 p.m. on Corduroy Road.

Police said there was no property damaged during the boy's drive.

"I was pretty shocked that a 4-year-old managed to get into the van and ... drive up like that," said Davia Mase, who witnessed the van drive away.

There will be no citations issued against the parents. Police said the embarrassment of the incident was punishment enough.

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