GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB/Gray News) – A Nebraska woman is facing multiple charges after crashing her vehicle into a river and her children had to be rescued.
Karni Metcalf, 28, has been charged in Hall County Court with felony child abuse, driving under the influence and unlawful operation of a vehicle with a person under the age of 16.
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the area of Highway 281 and Pine Street at about 9:30 p.m. on Sunday regarding a crash.
Arriving deputies said they found the reported crashed vehicle in the Platte River with the driver, later identified as Metcalf, standing in the water.
Metcalf’s children were still in the vehicle and Deputy Jacob Rodriguez-Rojas jumped into the water to rescue them.
“It was very heroic. He went into the freezing water with ice chunks floating above his waist due to the poor decision on the mom’s part,” Chief Deputy Josh Berlie said. “She placed people in danger.”
Authorities believe Metcalf struck a concrete retaining wall, causing her Kia to careen into the river.
A deputy also noted that multiple 911 calls were made about Metcalf’s reckless driving patterns before the crash.
Metcalf and the two children were transported by ambulance to CHI Health St. Francis for medical treatment.
A deputy who spoke with Metcalf at the hospital said she smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot along watery eyes.
Additionally, court documents stated that she failed a breathalyzer test.
Authorities said Metcalf told them that she was aware she had her children in the car with her and they were heading home that evening from Kearney.
The 28-year-old was booked into the Hall County Jail.
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