A drunk driving suspect in Lakeland, Florida, was caught on camera wading through alligator-infested swamp water while carrying two young children after allegedly fleeing the scene of a crash. Isaac Kinsey, 27, is accused of plowing his vehicle through a road-closure sign and into sandbags on Highway 33 at around 4am on September 9, according to police in Lakeland.
Kinsey's car ultimately came to a stop against exposed tree roots in a construction zone, and he is said to have fled on foot. When officers arrived at the scene, they found two empty child-safety seats inside the vehicle, setting off a frantic search for Kinsey and the two children.
Drone Spots Suspect in Swamp
Within about half an hour, a drone operator spotted Kinsey in a wooded, swampy area south of the crash site. Lakeland sits in central Florida between Tampa and Orlando, an area dotted with lakes and wetlands where alligators are common.
Heart-stopping drone footage showed Kinsey crawling through the alligator-infested marsh while carrying a two-year-old and a 10-month-old baby. Struggling with the difficult terrain, he could be seen falling multiple times, leaving the children submerged underwater. At one point, he appeared to leave the two-year-old behind as he continued through the swamp with the infant, falling several more times.
Isaac Kinsey, 27, an alleged drunk driving suspect fled into alligator-infested swamp waters after police said he crashed his car on September 9.
Heart-stopping drone footage showed Kinsey struggling to carry two young children through the marsh.
He was seen falling several times, leaving the two-year-old and 10-month-old underwater.
Body Camera Footage of Rescue
Dramatic body camera video showed an officer racing to the edge of the alligator-infested swamp water to catch up with Kinsey and rescue the children. "I could hear them crying in the woods," the officer could be heard saying as a baby whimpered in the distance.
When Kinsey emerged from the water, he put his hands up in surrender, claiming he "did not know there was a swamp right here." The officer seemed uninterested in his excuses, demanding Kinsey hand over the infant. A moment later, he could also be heard encouraging the toddler to come forward.
The children were then taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released. As news got out that the two young children were safe, an officer back at the crash site could be heard saying: "Ooh, thank you God for finding those kids."
Charges Filed Against Kinsey
Police said Kinsey admitted he was intoxicated and "displayed multiple indicators of impairment." He also allegedly had a suspended driver's license at the time.
He is now facing three felony charges and eight misdemeanor offenses, including two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm.
Kinsey is now facing three felony charges and eight misdemeanor offenses, including two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm.
Police Chief Reacts
Police Chief Sammy Taylor told Fox 13 he was left outraged by Kinsey's lack of care, not only for others on the road but for his own children, who he was glad did not drown.
"It was just like a doll he was throwing around, and several times [they] went underneath the water," he said. "I'm a father and grandfather, and it just makes your blood boil."
Police Chief Sammy Taylor said the incident made his "blood boil."
The department also said on social media that "this incident could have ended with the loss of two innocent lives." It credited "the rapid deployment of Lakeland PD's drone technology, along with the persistence and teamwork of responding officers," for helping locate the children in an extremely difficult environment and get them the care they needed.
"There is no excuse for impaired driving," the police department added. "We are thankful these children survived and proud of the officers whose actions helped prevent an even greater tragedy."
