# DUI suspect flees into swamp with two children

> A drunk driver crashed his car, then carried two young children through alligator-infested waters while trying to escape police.
- Title: DUI suspect flees into swamp with two children · Dailymail
- Summary: A drunk driver crashed his car, then carried two young children through alligator-infested waters while trying to escape police. Drone technology and quick…
- Keywords: isaac kinsey, lakeland, florida, dui, drunk driving, child endangerment, alligator, swamp, police drone, highway 33, sammy taylor, crash
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16134385/DUI-suspect-Isaac-Kinsey-swamp.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:47:20+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: isaac kinsey, lakeland, florida, dui, drunk driving, child endangerment, alligator, swamp, police drone, highway 33, sammy taylor, crash
## 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
## Key takeaway

Drone technology and quick police response saved two children from drowning in an alligator-infested swamp after their intoxicated caregiver fled a crash scene.