Tennessee Mother Faces Charges After Allegedly Driving Off Cliff With Children
Police allege a mother was intoxicated when her SUV plunged 25 feet, injuring one of her two children in the back seat.
A Tennessee mother is facing multiple charges after allegedly driving her SUV off a 25-foot cliff with her two young children in the back seat. Chase Ryan Klinedinst, 30, was arrested more than a month after the September 7 incident, during which police say she was heavily intoxicated and had two bottles of wine in her vehicle.
The crash occurred near Coffey's Cliff in Chattanooga, where authorities say Klinedinst drove through a dead-end street and onto a dirt path before plunging over the edge. The SUV landed upside down next to railroad tracks, prompting a temporary suspension of train operations.
Both children were secured in safety seats at the time of the crash. One child sustained a fractured forearm and bruised lungs, while the other was examined and released without reported injuries. The injured child was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Investigators reported that Klinedinst smelled strongly of alcohol and was slurring her words when officers arrived at the scene. They also found an empty wine bottle and a cold, unopened bottle in the wreckage. According to an arrest affidavit, Klinedinst's ability to operate a vehicle was severely impaired, which was a major contributing factor to the crash.
Klinedinst herself did not suffer serious physical injuries. Following the incident, she was transported to Erlanger hospital and later placed on a psychiatric hold due to reported paranoia and delusions, though authorities have not disclosed further details about her mental state or its potential involvement.
She faces charges including driving under the influence, two counts of child neglect, and vehicular assault. Klinedinst's bond was set at $10,000, and she is scheduled to appear in court on November 17.