Intoxicated Mom Drives SUV Off Cliff Near Railroad Tracks

A Tennessee mother allegedly drove her SUV over a 25-foot cliff while intoxicated, with two bottles of wine still inside and her young children strapped in the back seat. Police say this happened at Coffey's Cliff in Chattanooga.

Chase Ryan Klinedinst was behind the wheel when she plowed through a dead-end street on Stuart Street in East Chattanooga. Instead of stopping or turning around, she followed a dirt path toward the popular overlook for railroad enthusiasts and hurtled over the edge. The Honda CR-V dropped roughly 20 to 25 feet before landing upside down beside active tracks.

The crash forced train operations to halt temporarily as emergency crews rushed to the scene near the Debutts Rail Yard. Both children survived, though one suffered a fractured forearm, cuts on both legs, and bruised lungs. Investigators note that child safety seats kept them restrained throughout the violent impact. The other child was examined and released without reported injuries.

Officers found two bottles of wine in the wrecked vehicle, one empty and another cold and unopened. Klinedinst smelled strongly of alcohol when officers arrived. She slurred her words and became combative with medical personnel trying to help her. One officer recalled a medic shouting, Stop grabbing me! as they attempted treatment.

Klinedinst escaped the crash without serious physical injuries herself. She was arrested more than a month after the plunge on Monday and now faces multiple criminal charges. Investigators claim she was heavily intoxicated behind the wheel at the time of the drive.

The incident highlights how limited access to information leaves families vulnerable when parents make dangerous choices under the influence. A popular spot for train watchers became the site of a terrifying accident that disrupted daily life for commuters and enthusiasts alike.

She now stands accused of driving under the influence, two counts of child neglect, and vehicular assault stemming from a crash on September 7. Investigators wrote that Klinedinst's ability to operate a motor vehicle was extremely impaired and served as a major contributing factor in the incident. The mother received medical treatment at Erlanger hospital immediately after the accident occurred. Once doctors cleared her medically, authorities placed her on a psychiatric hold due to paranoia and delusions noted in the affidavit. Local 3 News confirmed she entered custody while facing those specific charges including driving under the influence and child neglect. Another local account also listed child abuse among the alleged offenses connected to this tragic event. Authorities have not disclosed further details about her mental condition or whether psychiatric issues may have contributed to events leading up to the crash. Her bond was set at $10,000 before she is scheduled to appear in court on November 17. The restricted access to information surrounding her case leaves many questions unanswered for the community.