People feared for the life of a 9-year-old girl after she went behind the wheel of a car to drive her drunk parents home after they passed out.
Jason Roth and Amanda Eggert
A Wisconsin couple is facing felony charges after allowing the woman’s nine-year-old daughter to drive them home because they were too drunk to get behind the wheel, according to police.
Jason Roth and Amanda Eggert were arrested after someone placed a 911 call about an erratic driver in Polk County, according to reports.
Deputy Jeff Hahn caught up to the truck, pulled them over and said he was stunned to see the little girl driving.
“As the nine-year-old exited the truck, it was still running and in drive when Mr. Roth was sitting in the truck by himself," he said as he testified at a hearing on Friday. "He turned the ignition off and the truck began rolling backwards down the hill towards the river. I jumped into the truck to hit the brakes and put the truck in park.”
The child apparently drove for miles before being pulled over. Fortunately no one was hurt.
The adults face charges of recklessly endangering safety and neglecting a child. Eggert is also charged with battery to an EMT and a firefighter, as well as disorderly conduct. They have pleaded not guilty to the charges and both cases will head to trial.
Their children are now staying with extended family.