Background: A section of Wilart Drive in Louisville, Kentucky (Google Maps). Inset: Jamel Pugh (Louisville Metro Government).
Authorities in Kentucky are investigating after they say a woman crashed a car into a tree, injuring three children, and then reasoned that "of course" she drank alcohol beforehand because she was "out to have a good time" with her family.
Jamel Pugh, 39, faces charges including first-degree wanton endangerment, failure to use a child-restraint device in a vehicle, endangering the welfare of a minor, and driving on a DUI-suspended license, per court records reviewed by Law&Crime. She was booked into the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections on Saturday.
On that day, the Louisville Metro Police Department says Pugh was driving with three children in her vehicle on Wilart Drive in Louisville, Kentucky. She allegedly hit a speed bump and crashed into a tree.
Police responded to the area to find a car with damage to its front, according to an arrest citation obtained by local ABC affiliate WHAS. Pugh was there, along with three young children, who were "crying and moaning."
One of the kids had blood dripping from her nose and mouth and a shirt covered in blood, authorities said. Two of the kids said they were "hurting bad," with one feeling pain in their face and the other feeling pain in their stomach.
Emergency workers arrived to care for the children, and police started to investigate.
When officers asked Pugh what happened, she reportedly said she was driving the speed limit when the bump caused her to hit a tree. However, investigators learned the speed bump was roughly 100 to 150 yards from the crash site, and the damage to the vehicle indicated Pugh was speeding when she crashed.
Pugh also allegedly failed to ensure two of the three kids were in a car seat or booster seat. She was arrested, and as she was being booked, one officer reportedly detected the scent of alcohol.
When officers asked if she had been drinking before she crashed, Pugh was apparently blunt, saying they "shouldn't be stupid, if I go out to have a good time with my family of course I'm going to have a drink."
The defendant allegedly told police she had one vodka drink before the crash.
She is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 29.