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Mom accused of driving car off cliff with young kids inside, faces DUI, child neglect charges
By Kelsie Cairns
Published October 13, 2026
Investigators say a Tennessee mother is facing charges after she allegedly drove her vehicle off a cliff with her two young kids inside.
Chase Ryan Klinedinst, 30, was behind the wheel of a Honda CR-V when she reached a dead-end road near "Coffey's Cliff" in Chattanooga and continued driving.
The suspect's vehicle fell about 25 feet, then drove off a cliff and landed "upside down near railroad tracks," an affidavit says.
Chase Ryan Klinedinst, 30, is facing charges after investigators say she drove her car off a cliff with her children inside at the time. (Hamilton County Sheriff's Office)
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Her children, who were in their safety seats, were also in the vehicle. Both children were taken to the hospital.
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One of the children broke an arm and bruised a lung. The other child was treated and released.
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Klinedinst is accused of driving her car down a dirt road and eventually plummeting off Coffey's Cliff, reports say. (Google Maps)
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Investigators say Klinedinst had "slurred speech, was combative with medics and smelled strongly of an alcoholic beverage."
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A Tennessee mother is facing charges after investigators say she drove her car off a cliff with her kids inside. (Getty Images: halbergman)
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Two bottles of wine were found inside the vehicle — with one of them empty, investigators say.
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Tennessee state trooper. (Getty Images)
Klinedinst is charged with two counts of child neglect, driving under the influence and vehicular assault. Tennessee Highway Patrol is the charging agency.
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She is due in court on November 17.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/mom-accused-driving-car-off-cliff-young-kids-inside-faces-dui-child-neglect-charges