Drunk driver crashes into construction zone

Isaac Kinsey, 27, plowed through a road closure sign and into sandbags on Highway 33 at 4am. His car stopped against tree roots in a construction zone.

Two empty car seats spark panic

Officers arrived to find two empty child safety seats inside the abandoned vehicle. Kinsey had fled the scene with the children.

Drone spots suspect in swamp

Within half an hour, a police drone operator located Kinsey in a wooded, swampy area south of the crash site.

Carrying kids through alligator waters

Heart-stopping footage showed Kinsey crawling through alligator-infested marsh while carrying a two-year-old and a 10-month-old baby.

Children submerged underwater repeatedly

Kinsey fell multiple times while navigating the difficult terrain, leaving both children submerged underwater.

Toddler left behind in swamp

At one point, Kinsey appeared to leave the two-year-old behind as he continued through the swamp with just the infant.

Officer races to rescue children

Body camera footage showed an officer racing to the edge of the swamp water to catch up with Kinsey and save the kids.

“I could hear them crying in the woods”

Suspect emerges with hands up

When Kinsey emerged from the water, he surrendered with his hands up, claiming he didn't know there was a swamp there.

Officer demands the infant

The officer showed no interest in Kinsey's excuses and immediately demanded he hand over the baby.

Children treated and released

Both children were promptly taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released.

Relief at crash site

When news spread that the children were safe, an officer at the crash site said, 'Thank you God for finding those kids.'

“Ooh, thank you God for finding those kids”

Kinsey admits to being intoxicated

Police said Kinsey admitted he was intoxicated and displayed multiple indicators of impairment.

Suspended license at time of crash

Kinsey allegedly had a suspended driver's license when the incident occurred.

Facing 11 criminal charges

Kinsey now faces three felony charges and eight misdemeanor offenses, including two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm.

Police chief's blood boils

Chief Sammy Taylor said Kinsey treated the children like dolls, throwing them around. 'It just makes your blood boil,' he said.

“It was just like a doll he was throwing around, and several times [they] went underneath the water”

Drone technology saved lives

The department credited rapid drone deployment and officer teamwork with preventing an even greater tragedy in the difficult environment.

“There is no excuse for impaired driving”