Lakeland police use drone to find driver carrying two children in a swamp after a DUI crash
By: -----
Lakeland, FL - A man accused of driving under the influence was seen running into a swamp with a baby in his arms after crashing on the highway, according to the Lakeland Police Department.
LPD says they responded to a crash on Highway 33 near North Combee Road at around 4:00 a.m. on Friday. The vehicle reportedly traveled through a road-closure sign and sandbags before entering a construction area and coming to rest against exposed tree roots.
However, when officers arrived on the scene, the driver — later identified as Isaac Kinsey, 27 — took off on foot. LPD says they noticed two child safety seats in the vehicle left behind by Kinsey.
A Lakeland PD drone was deployed to search the pitch-black area. A half-hour later, it located Kinsey in a nearby swamp carrying two children, one aged 2, and the other 10 months. Drone footage from LPD shows the situation unfolding.
LPD says that Kinsey fell multiple times while carrying the children, submerging them in the water. Officers eventually reached the trio, rescuing the children, and putting Kinsey in custody.
The children were taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital and treated for their injuries. Both children survived. Kinsey — who showed several signs of impairment — was arrested and charged with eight misdemeanor offenses and three felony offenses, including two counts of Negligent Child Abuse with Great Bodily Harm.