Tennessee Mom Charged After SUV Plunges Off Cliff With Kids
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A Tennessee mother has been arrested on DUI and child neglect charges five weeks after investigators say she drove her SUV off a cliff in Chattanooga with her two young children inside.
Hamilton County deputies arrested Chase Ryan Klinedinst, 30, on Monday, Oct. 12, on an outstanding warrant. She is charged with driving under the influence, two counts of child neglect and vehicular assault, and was held on a $10,000 bond. She is due in court Nov. 17.
According to an arrest affidavit, Klinedinst was driving a 2020 Honda CR-V west on Stuart Street on Sept. 7 when she reached a dead end and continued onto a dirt path toward Coffey's Cliff, a spot train enthusiasts use to watch the Debutts Rail Yard. The SUV went over the edge, fell about 20 to 25 feet and landed upside down near the railroad tracks. The crash temporarily halted operations on the easternmost rail line.
Both children were restrained in child safety seats. One suffered a fractured forearm and bruised lung tissue and was admitted to the hospital. The other was examined and released.
Investigators say they found an empty bottle of wine and an unopened, cold bottle of wine inside the SUV. Klinedinst was reportedly confrontational with first responders, had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. She was taken to a hospital, where she was placed on a psychiatric hold, according to court documents.
No attorney has commented publicly on her behalf.
