A Tennessee mother is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly driving drunk off a 25-foot cliff with her two young children strapped into the backseat, sending their SUV crashing upside down near active railroad tracks.
Chase Ryan Klinedinst, 30, was arrested following the frightening incident in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after investigators determined she was allegedly severely impaired when her vehicle plunged over the edge of a popular railroad overlook.
The crash occurred September 7 near Coffey’s Cliff, an elevated area overlooking the DeButts Rail Yard where train enthusiasts frequently gather to watch passing locomotives.
According to an arrest affidavit, Klinedinst was driving a 2020 Honda CR-V westbound along Stuart Street when she reached a dead-end road and continued onto a dirt path.
The SUV traveled around a bend before making a left turn and plunging approximately 20 to 25 feet down the embankment.
The vehicle landed on its roof beside railroad tracks, prompting officials to temporarily suspend operations on a nearby rail line.
Inside the overturned SUV were Klinedinst’s two children, both younger than 8, who had been secured in child safety seats.
Remarkably, both survived the crash.
One child suffered a fractured wrist or forearm and bruising to a lung, requiring hospitalization. The other child escaped serious injury and was released after a medical evaluation.
When emergency responders reached the wreckage, they reportedly noticed several troubling signs suggesting Klinedinst had been drinking.
According to court documents, her speech was heavily slurred, she smelled strongly of alcohol and she behaved aggressively toward paramedics attempting to help her.
One emergency worker repeatedly told her to stop grabbing him as crews worked to assess her injuries.
Investigators also discovered two bottles of wine inside the SUV.
One bottle of Vinho Verde wine was empty, while a second bottle of Fetzer Gewürztraminer was unopened and reportedly still cold, with condensation on the outside.
Police described Klinedinst as extremely impaired and alleged that her condition played a significant role in the crash.
The mother was transported to a local hospital for treatment and subsequently placed on a psychiatric hold.
Blood samples collected during her medical treatment are expected to undergo laboratory testing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to help determine whether alcohol or other substances contributed to the incident.
Authorities have not publicly released the results of those tests.
Klinedinst now faces charges including driving under the influence, child neglect, child abuse and vehicular assault.
Investigators allege that her decision to operate the vehicle while impaired recklessly endangered both children.
A judge set her bond at $10,000, and she is scheduled to appear in court on November 17.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the dangers of impaired driving, particularly when young children are passengers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol can significantly impair judgment, coordination and reaction time, increasing the likelihood of serious crashes.
For Klinedinst’s children, the consequences could have been far worse. Their SUV overturned just feet from railroad tracks after dropping more than 20 feet.
