A suspected drunk driver was captured on camera wading through an alligator-infested swamp while carrying two children after allegedly fleeing the scene of a crash.
The frightening incident began at about 4 a.m. on September 9, when Isaac Kinsey, 27, allegedly drove through a road-closure sign and crashed into sandbags on Highway 33 in Lakeland, Florida, police said.
His vehicle eventually stopped against exposed tree roots in a construction zone. Kinsey is accused of leaving the crash site on foot.
When officers arrived, they discovered two empty child-safety seats inside the vehicle, prompting an urgent search for Kinsey and the two children.
About 30 minutes later, a drone operator spotted Kinsey in a wooded, swampy area south of the crash site.
Heart-stopping drone footage appeared to show him crawling through the alligator-infested marsh with a two-year-old child and a 10-month-old baby in his arms.
As he struggled through the difficult terrain, Kinsey fell several times, at points leaving the children partially submerged in the water.
In one moment, he appeared to leave the two-year-old behind while continuing 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
Dramatic drone footage showed Kinsey struggling through the marsh while carrying two young children
He appeared to fall several times, leaving the two-year-old and 10-month-old baby underwater
In dramatic body-camera footage, an officer could be seen rushing to the edge of the alligator-infested swamp in an effort to reach Kinsey and rescue the children.
“I could hear them crying in the woods,” the officer said, as a baby whimpered in the distance.
When Kinsey emerged from the water, he raised his hands in surrender and claimed he “did not know there was a swamp right here.”
The officer appeared unmoved by the explanation and ordered Kinsey to hand over the infant.
A moment later, he could also be heard encouraging the toddler to come forward.
The children were then promptly taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released.
As news then 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.’
Kinsey is now facing three felony charges and eight misdemeanor offenses – including two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm
Police Chief Sammy Taylor said the incident made his ‘blood boil’
Meanwhile, police said Kinsey admitted he was intoxicated as he ‘displayed multiple indicators of impairment.’
He also allegedly had a suspended drivers’ license at the time, and is now facing three felony charges and eight misdemeanor offenses – including two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm.
Police Chief Sammy Taylor told Fox 13 he was left outraged by Kinsey’s lack of care not only for the others on the road, but also for his own children who he’s glad didn’t drown.
‘It was just like a doll he was throwing around, and several times [they] went underneath the water,’ he noted.
‘I’m a father and grandfather, and it just makes your blood boil.’
The department also noted on social media that ‘this incident could have ended with the loss of two innocent lives.
‘The rapid deployment of Lakeland PD’s drone technology, along with the persistence and teamwork of responding officers, helped 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.’
