A Kent woman was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) with her 22-month-old child in the vehicle after being found passed out behind the wheel on Monday morning, Oct. 21, 2024.
The incident occurred on Monday at around 11:14 a.m. when Kent Patrol Officer Brennan and Detective Lorette responded to reports of a vehicle blocking traffic in the 23500 block of 88th Ave S. (map below). Witnesses told 911 that the woman appeared to be unconscious, and her car was still running while in drive.
When first responders arrived, they found the 34-year-old woman unresponsive at the wheel. Concerned bystanders had already removed the baby from the car, consoling him as he cried. Puget Sound Fire personnel confirmed that neither the woman nor the child was physically injured. However, the driver was found to be severely impaired, with slurred speech, the smell of alcohol, and an inability to recall basic information, such as her home address or her child’s name.
After determining that the woman had been asleep for at least 15 minutes with the vehicle still running, police arrested her for DUI, driving with a suspended license, reckless endangerment involving domestic violence (for endangering her child), and operating a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device. She was taken into custody, but not before verbally abusing the officer and making violent threats. A court-approved blood test was administered after the suspect refused a breathalyzer test. The incident has been referred to Child Protective Services (CPS), and the child was placed in the care of a family member.
Authorities praised the witnesses for their swift action, which likely saved the child’s life. Police are encouraging anyone struggling with substance abuse to seek help before an incident like this turns into a tragedy.
