A woman from Jefferson City is facing multiple charges after a car accident caused injuries, and her three young children were in the backseat during the crash.
The woman, Teresa Phelps, has been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) causing injury, reckless driving, and three counts of first-degree child endangerment.
The accident happened on Tuesday night in the 300 block of Ellis Boulevard. According to the police report, Phelps made a sudden left turn across four lanes of traffic, crashing nearly head-on into another vehicle.
Her three children, aged seven, eight, and ten, were riding in the backseat without seatbelts.
The driver of the other car was injured and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. Both vehicles were seriously damaged and needed to be towed away from the scene.
Police officers arrived at the scene and found that Phelps was showing clear signs of being intoxicated. They noted that her speech was slurred, and she was acting very emotional. When questioned, Phelps admitted to drinking six or seven small bottles of vodka earlier that day.
A breathalyzer test revealed that her blood alcohol level was 0.257%, which is more than three times the legal limit for driving in Missouri. Given the seriousness of the situation, Phelps is now being held without bond.
The charges against Phelps include driving while intoxicated causing physical injury, careless and reckless driving resulting in an accident, and endangering the welfare of her three children. If convicted, she could face severe legal consequences, especially for putting her children’s lives at risk.
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This incident highlights the dangers of drinking and driving, not just for the driver but for everyone on the road. Drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of traffic accidents and fatalities. Police urge people to act responsibly, especially when children are involved.