Mom accused of cliff plunge with young kids faces DUI, neglect charges
A Tennessee mother is facing charges after investigators say she drove her vehicle off a cliff with her two young children inside.
Chase Ryan Klinedinst, 30, was driving a Honda CR-V near Coffey’s Cliff in Chattanooga when she reached the end of a dead-end road and continued forward, according to investigators.
The vehicle dropped about 25 feet before going over the cliff and landing upside down near railroad tracks, an affidavit states.
Chase Ryan Klinedinst, 30, is facing charges after investigators say she drove her vehicle off a cliff while her children were inside. (Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)
Both children were secured in safety seats when the crash occurred and were taken to a hospital for treatment.
One child suffered a broken arm and a bruised lung, while the other was treated and released from the hospital.
Reports say Klinedinst drove down a dirt road before the vehicle eventually plunged from Coffey’s Cliff. (Google Maps)
Investigators said Klinedinst had slurred speech, acted combatively toward medics and smelled strongly of alcohol.
A Tennessee mother is facing charges after investigators say she drove her vehicle off a cliff with her children inside. (Getty Images: halbergman)
Investigators also found two bottles of wine inside the vehicle. One bottle was empty, they said.
Tennessee state trooper. (Getty Images)
Klinedinst faces two counts of child neglect, driving under the influence and vehicular assault. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is the charging agency.
She is scheduled to appear in court on November 17.
