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Teenager crashes into Valrico convenience store during driving lesson

 
Andrew Burbridge, 16, drove into a Hess Express at 3353 Lithia Pinecreast Road in Val­rico on Sunday, deputies said.
Andrew Burbridge, 16, drove into a Hess Express at 3353 Lithia Pinecreast Road in Val­rico on Sunday, deputies said.
Published Oct. 7, 2013

VALRICO — A driving lesson took a wrong turn when a 16-year-old boy confused the brake pedal with the gas and crashed through the front of a Valrico gas station, authorities said.

John Burbridge was in the passenger seat teaching his son Andrew Burbridge how to drive Sunday afternoon when they pulled up to the Hess station at 3353 Lithia Pinecrest Road.

Andrew, who was driving without a license, hit the gas pedal instead of the brake and drove into the front of the Hess Express store, Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies said.

Customers were in the store, but the car did not hit anyone. One man had a scratch on his arm from a soda display stand, and a woman was transported to Brandon Regional Hospital with neck and back pain. She fell after being pushed out of the way by the man who was scratched on the arm.

The damage to the vehicle, a 2005 Toyota Camry, is approximately $6,000, and the damage to the store is estimated at $5,000, deputies said.

Andrew Burbridge was cited for driving without a valid license. John Burbridge was cited for permitting an unauthorized driver.