Dramatic moment DUI suspect flees into alligator-infested waters while carrying TWO children

A drunk driving suspect was caught on camera wading through alligator-infested swamp water while carrying two children after he allegedly fled the scene of a crash.

The distressing incident began when Isaac Kinsey, 27, plowed his vehicle through a road-closure sign and into sandbags on Highway 33 at around 4am on September 9, according to police in Lakeland, Florida.

He ultimately came to a stop against exposed tree roots in a construction zone, and is said to have fled the scene.

When officers then arrived at the scene, they found two empty child-safety seats inside the vehicle – spurring a frantic search for Kinsey and the two children.

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

He could be seen in the heart-stopping drone footage crawling through the alligator-infested marsh while carrying a two-year-old and a 10-month-old baby.

While dealing with the difficult terrain, Kinsey could be seen falling multiple times, leaving the children submerged underwater.

At one point, he could even be seen apparently leaving the two-year-old behind as he continued through the swamp with the infant – falling several more times. 

In dramatic body camera video, an officer could be seen racing to the edge of the alligator-infested swamp water to catch up with Kinsey and rescue the children.

‘I could hear them crying in the woods,’ the officer could be heard saying as a baby whimpered at a distance.

When Kinsey then emerged from the water, he put his hands up in surrender, claiming he ‘did not know there was a swamp right here.’

But the officer seemed uninterested in his excuses, as he demanded Kinsey hand over the infant. 

A moment later, he could also be heard encouraging the toddler to come forward. 

The children were then promptly taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released.

As news then got out that the two young children were safe, an officer back at the crash site could be heard saying: ‘Ooh, thank you God for finding those kids.’ 

Meanwhile, police said Kinsey admitted he was intoxicated as he ‘displayed multiple indicators of impairment.’

He also allegedly had a suspended drivers’ license at the time, and is now facing three felony charges and eight misdemeanor offenses – including two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm.

Police Chief Sammy Taylor told Fox 13 he was left outraged by Kinsey’s lack of care not only for the others on the road, but also for his own children who he’s glad didn’t drown.

‘It was just like a doll he was throwing around, and several times [they] went underneath the water,’ he noted.

‘I’m a father and grandfather, and it just makes your blood boil.’

The department also noted on social media that ‘this incident could have ended with the loss of two innocent lives.

‘The rapid deployment of Lakeland PD’s drone technology, along with the persistence and teamwork of responding officers, helped locate the children in an extremely difficult environment and get them the care they needed.

‘There is no excuse for impaired driving,’ the police department added. 

‘We are thankful these children survived and proud of the officers whose actions helped prevent an even greater tragedy.’