On the evening of September 29th, 2024, at around 7:15 p.m., the Woodstock Police Department received a call about a female driver behaving suspiciously on the road. The caller reported that the driver was repeatedly changing lanes and driving recklessly, creating a serious risk of an accident. When officers stopped the vehicle, they made a shocking discovery. The woman had her two young children in the backs. This video shows how a mother under mental stress and acting carelessly ended up putting not only herself but also her innocent children in danger. Good evening. How are you? Hi. It would be better if you didn't have such bright lights on me. I understand that. Do you have your driver's license and insurance on you? I'm going to find that. And I was talking to my husband who doesn't help me out with anything. Okay. About life. Oh, I got you. Oh, you you're on the phone. I was on the phone. Okay. I will get on my phone and find my and find my insurance card. Perfect. Thank you. What uh company do you have? Uh progressive. Where are we coming from tonight? I I'm just local. Well, I just got to get back to feed my horses. Oh, I got you. Okay. Not far. on here Are these your kiddos in the back? Yes. I got two of them. Oh, they're they're sleeping. We don't have to roll the window down. I was just curious. I actually have the thing saved. Okay. Do you know why I stopped you tonight? No. Uh well, so first thing you turned left on a red arrow there at 14 and 47 and then you were all over the road. You crossed the yellow line. You were almost in the ditch with the whole truck. Then you came back in and out. You're riding the grass. Yeah. I'm sorry. I was I multitask on a regular basis. Okay. Sorry. Okay. But I can get those. Um let me go to my email. Okay. [Music] What a go. [Music] [Applause] Can you smell the leaf from here? Is that coming from here? I smelled it coming walking up. I think it's Call me crazy. I think it's the Okay. No. Okay. Mr. Durk, is that how you pronounce the last name? I'm sorry. Dirks. Dirks. Yeah. Which one? Dirks. Okay. Miss Dirks. Uh, let me ask let me ask you. Oh, okay. Got the one there for the truck. There's that back. Let me ask you a question. Have you had any alcoholic, any drugs of any kind? No. Okay. What's got you what's got you driving like that? Uh well, I have two kids that are just constantly uh on my case and always asking me for things. Okay. Did you Did you realize that you were all the way over the shoulder in the grass driving down Route 14 at any point? Uh yeah, you did? Yeah. Okay. How'd that happen? Trying to navigate my two toddlers. Okay. What were you doing that with your two toddlers that got you off the road multiple times? Uh picking up trying to find um their tablets. Okay. Okay. Um do you usually have motor skill issues? I noticed you dropped a couple of things while you were talking to me. I'm just worried that we're okay to make it home while we got two kids in the back of the car. I promise you I will be I'm fine. You're fine. Okay. I'll be good. Okay. Um, did you know that you turned left on a red arrow? I thought I made it just in time. It was pretty solid red when we went through, but um but you recognize that it was red at some point. I got you. Okay. Um All right. Give me one second. I'll be right back with you. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Smell it right here. I think weed. As soon as I got that out, that's all I could smell. It's like right here. Yeah. On the way walking up to your car. Yes. But I don't smell anything there. Here. Smell it. I don't smell that. Oh, yeah. A little bit. What do you think? There's a bottle. She went off the roller over here. Correct. Yeah. Yeah. All her purse is in the way, but I could see It's like a glass. Yeah. Glass bottle with a green top. And you can tell that it's it's open. But yeah, dude. That's what it is. Smell a little more distinct back there. Yeah. But look how there's tons of it. Yeah. Yeah. Just cover yourself in that. Take your hand. Go like that and smell your hand. Oh yeah. Yeah. Kind of like minty. Did you uh pick up the double? Yeah. Damn it. Well, I thought it was free. I lad tech. So I was like, "Oh, I'll jump on that too." I was like, "Is this fidget?" Cuz I didn't see a call for it. I just saw it on the tech when I was signing up for this one. I was like started dropping all his stuff because he was like [Music] All right, Mr. Oh, what'd you get there? I just I put my ring on last night. That was too tight. Oh, is it swollen? Yeah. Okay. Um, let me ask you, are you particularly tired or anything right now? I'm always tired. Okay. Um, because like I said with with what I noticed the the driving seems like you got some motor skill issues. Okay. Your eyes are a little glassy. I'm worried that you're okay to drive cuz what I saw was dangerous. I just want to make sure we're good. But so you're more tired than in particular today. I am. Okay. Okay. I if you want to follow me to where I'm going, I'd be happy to. That'd be that'd be Sure. Sure. First thing first thing I want to do is just make sure that we're able to get there cuz from what I just saw I don't think you are able to get there. Um so what I have you do real quick um is called a finger dexterity test. I'm going to demonstrate it for you and then I'll have you complete it. Wait till I'm done with the instructions. But what you're going to do is you're going to touch your thumb to the tip of each finger and you're going to count out loud one to four and then you're going to go backwards. You're going to do the test twice. 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 So, when I tell you to start, I want you to touch your thumb to the tip of each finger and then count the number out loud each time forward and backwards twice. Do you have any questions about that test as I've explained it to you so far? Nope. Okay, you can begin. 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 Okay. Um 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 I did. All right. All right. Um so hope you on the phone right now. Uh were you were you texting on the phone or talking on the phone? You said you were something with your husband or I I don't know. I always Gotcha. Gotcha. Okay. Um, what I want you to do is if you can step out of the vehicle for me and come talk to me back here real quick. Okay. Uh, can you just keep a window back down so they can check on the kiddos, make sure everybody's okay while we're standing back there. Perfect. All right. Then just ride here so we're out of traffic and we're safe. Okay. All right. Um, so you haven't had any alcohol? Any alcohol tonight? No medications? Nothing like that? Um, right now it seems that you are impaired. Okay. Uh, and I just I want to make sure we make it home. Okay. Especially with the kids in the back there. They're your kids, right? Son and daughter. Okay. Um, and then you were get you were leaving the Madison house going to check on the horses right now? Yep. Okay. Okay. Um All right. So, I want to run you through a couple of tests. I just want to make sure you make it home. I'm worried about you and the kids. Okay. Once we get done with that, we can be on our way. Sound good? All right. Um, yeah. Just stand right there for a second. I'm going to for a second. I'm going to back my car up a little bit so we're in a safe spot here. [Music] 24 All right, Miss Dirks. The first thing I want to test is your eyes. Okay. I'm going to give you some simple instructions. While I do that, can I have you stand with your feet together and your hands at your side and just remain in this position while I give you the rest of the instructions? You understand that so far? Yeah. Okay. First of all, do you have any eye problems or abnormalities? I wear contacts. Okay. Are you wearing contacts? Okay. Are you wearing contacts now? Yeah. Perfect. Can you just keep your hands to your sides, please? Uh, how's your overall general health today? Good. Okay. Well, we said you're wearing your contacts now. Perfect. All right. So, what I want you to do is with your eyes and your eyes only, I want you to follow the tip of this pen here. Okay? With your eyes and your eyes only. Okay? Okay, keep your head still for me. [Music] Keep your head still, please. Almost done. We're going to go [Music] up. All right. Thank you. All right. Do you have any physical problems or disabilities? Nope. Nope. Okay. Uh, let's stand up here on the pavement where it's more solid and you can take a step and you can take a step back towards your truck a little bit. Perfect. Um, for the instruction portion of this test, what I want you to do is picture an imaginary straight line between you that goes all the way to the front of my car. Okay? What I want you to do is I want you to place your right foot on that imaginary line and place your left foot in front of your right foot with your hands at your sides. Okay? So, you can get in that position for me, please. Um, and you have your left heel touching your right toe. Perfect. Okay. Stay in that position until I'm done with the instructions. Do you understand that so far? Got it. Okay. When I say begin, what I want you to do is take a series of nine. Okay? is take a series of nine heel totoe steps down heel to toe steps down that line. When you get to the end, I want you to take a series of small steps keeping that lead foot planted. And you're going to take nine heel to Okay, it's going to look like this. One, two, three. I took three. You're going to take nine. Keeping that lead foot planted, you're going to take a series of small steps and take nine to heel still steps back. One, two, three. Again, I took three. I want you to take nine. I want you to count out loud at all times. Keep your hands at your sides at all times and look at your feet at all times. Do you understand the instructions I given you so far? You so far? Okay, you may begin. Oops. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 7 8 9 Okay, fine. You can stand right back uh here for me and keep your hands at your side like the first test and your feet together while I give the instructions. You understand those instructions so far? Yes. Okay. Hands at your sides, please. All right. All right. When I tell you to start, and only when I tell you to start, I want you to raise one leg, either leg with your foot appro with your foot approximately 6 in off the ground. Keep it'll look like this. Keeping both legs straight with your arms at your sides while holding that position, I want you to count out loud in the following manner. 10001,002 10003 10004 and so on. So again it's going to look like this 100010020020030045 and so on until I tell you to uh during the test I want you to keep your arms at your sides at all times. I want you to keep your legs straight at all times. Look at your foot at all times and count out loud at all times. Do you understand the instructions I've given you so far? Okay. Yes. You need a sign for me once they tell you to begin. Okay. You can begin. Mark, please don't lean on your truck. Count out loud for me. One. You cannot lean on your truck. Two. Three. 4 5 6 7 10 Keep going till I tell you to stop. Oh, 11. All right, you can stop. 12. All right, come on. Go over here so we're out of traffic for me. All right, Miss Dirks, at this point it does appear that you're impaired by something. You're telling me you haven't had any alcohol tonight? No. Okay. Well, from what I've seen, you are you are too impaired to drive. Okay. Um, that being said, you have two small children in a car with you. Okay. Is there somebody who can drive them home safely? Cuz at this point, I don't think you're capable of doing that. You? I can't do that. No, I don't have car seats. Um, your husband Is that a possibility? Are you going to take me to jail? Yes. At this point, you were driving under the influence. I've determined that you were too impaired to drive. Um, and you definitely can't be driving with the kids. Uh, not to jail, to the police department and back home. But in the meantime, is there somebody who can watch your children? Yeah. Okay. Who? Yeah. Yeah. Is uh for your phone in the car? Hold on. You mind if we grab it? So you don't just cuz of traffic. Is that okay? Go ahead. Thank you. Is he close by? Do you know? Yeah. Okay. This will just um make my divorce go quicker. Is there anything illegal in the car right now? No open alcohol or anything. No, you could talk to him. Nope. Okay. Not uh Hello. Hi, this is Officer G with the Woodstock Police Department. I'm here with Miss Dirks. Yes. Um so we are currently at Route 14 between 47 and Dean. Um, are these your children that are with her? It's on It's on Bluetooth. Oh, can can you hear me now, sir? It hooked up to the Bluetooth. Hooked up to the Bluetooth. Um, uh, so I'm asking uh so I'm asking I'm at 14 between Dean and 47 with Miss Dirks. Are these your children that are with her? Um, is there a chance that you could come Okay, that that's fine. Uh, but she can come take them in the car. Okay, perfect. Uh, so we're on route 14 between 47 and Dean. Mhm. Okay. Um, that being said, uh, about how far do you think she's coming from? Okay. Yeah. Not that it's a rush. I just I just want to know to to make sure um I know when they're coming. Yeah. No, no rush. Don't please don't hurry. Um correct. And then just for my information so we don't turn them over to the wrong people, we'll be waiting here for her and then uh I'll turn the children over to her. Okay. Thank you. You going 52 52? I'm sorry. Not 51. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, stop talking to my kids. It's nothing. It's nothing. We have to rush. Uh, mother-in-law will be here in 5 minutes to grab it. Okay. So, all right. Here's your phone, babe. I don't want my mother. I mean, you asked me to call him and that's that's who's coming. So Oh. Oh, no. Well, you don't really have a choice in that right now. Why can't No, you're a mother. Yeah. Right. You don't you don't want that? Absolutely not. Why is that? Because they all [ __ ] judge me for everything I do and I [ __ ] take care of everybody. Okay. I'm just looking for somebody responsible who can grab your kids and watch them temporarily. [ __ ] He's a [ __ ] dad and he can't come get him. I I don't know why. I mean, does he have work? Has he been drinking? I I don't know. I don't know. What? You're sending my [ __ ] mom over here? Pieces of [ __ ] [ __ ] hate my life. Take me to jail. You do whatever you want with these kids. I don't [ __ ] relax. Relax. Relax. Stop. Stop. Oh god. You guys can do what I have. do everything. I just [ __ ] I was [ __ ] abused. Don't put I don't You don't have to do that. I am not. Don't you don't have to do that. Yeah, you're under arrest. You don't have to do that. Okay, let's go back to your children. Don't see this. Okay, you don't don't have to do that. I do cuz you're under arrest and you're being belligerent and you've almost run into traffic three times. So, let's act right while your daughter is watching you, please. I don't want to do this to your kids, so please act right. Thank you. Don't make me do this to them. Gotcha. Can't see. Gotcha. Do you have anything illegal on you right now? Any weapons of any kind? You can look at me. I I I will. I'm just asking you for my safety precautionary. Okay. Thank you. No needles, no knives. [Music] Okay. You have a wallet or something in the car you want? Mark. Mark. Okay, we're going to go in the rear of this car. Okay. Can you undo this before my mom comes? No, I can't undo it till we get to the pool. She won't even see it. She won't even see you. Okay. So, let's go to the car, please. Um, I need to get my wallet. I'll get it for you. Have a seat for me. Watch your head. No, I can't. You're going to see him. Yeah, you're not you're not going to jail tonight. Okay. We're going to we're going to see him in a couple of hours. I I don't think right now in this condition is the time. Okay. I have to go feed my horses and I have to feed my kids. Okay. Well, we we'll make sure that your kids are taken care of. Okay. Oh, no. All right. Can you have a seat for me, please? Oh, Miss Derks. Oh, no. I want to say Okay. Can you stand up for me first? Could you grab a wallet? We're going to calmly explain to them what's happening. Okay, that doesn't matter. Okay. cell phone right there. Huh? No. Huh? Huh? [Music] Oh, no. My younger. [Music] I'm 83 with that J5 76 copy started 95 95 [Music] Hey, I think you're speeding. I'm actually going 36 mph right now. Well, it seems like a little bit dangerous to go from 0 to 36. That's how you merge into a 55 mph road. Also incredibly fast for a turn. Okay, I'm going to be yelling right here. Slow the [ __ ] down, buddy. I think you're going faster than 35 again. Slow down, mister. You're speeding. I expect a full stop. [Music] That wasn't a full stop. No, your tires have to roll back. [Music] You literally just went through something that said do not enter. Yeah, cuz it's the police department. Have respect and slow down. 106 coming in 95,000 325 95 32 What are you doing? That door's locked. No kidding. I mean, you tried it. Unbuckle yourself. Okay. Watch your head on the way out, please. [Music] You step right there. I'll get you out of your hand. Okay. That way for me. I'm going to release your right hand first. When I do so, place it on top of your head for me. You understand? Got it. I'm not an idiot. I didn't say you weren't. Standard practice. Treating me like I'm an idiot. This is how I treat everyone who's under arrest. Make sure the rules are clear. That way, nobody makes any mistakes. We're going to do the same thing with your left. I'm going to release it. Place it. Okay. I got it. I'll put it on top of them. I know. I'm not some piece of [ __ ] black. No one said you are. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Wandering the streets around here or Mexican. You can put your racist hands down now and have a seat if you'd like. Well, you can tell me what the stats are. I have no stats for you. Actually, you're right. They're probably white. What are you talking about? I just asked you to put your hand just like I do everybody else I've arrested. Just a safety concern, that's all. Okay. All right, Mr. Durks, I have to read you this form. It's called the warning of the motorist. I have to read it in its entirety. Some of it may not apply to you. I understand that. It's just how I have to read it. Um, please don't interrupt. If you have any questions, ask at the end. Okay. Subsequent to an arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs or intoxicating compounds or any combination thereof, DUI, or section 1141, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, you're hereby notified that, as provided in section 11-500 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, your firsttime offender, unless within the last 5 years of this arrest for DUI or leaving the scene, you've had a a previous conviction or court assigned supervision for DUI or a similar provision or local ordinance or a conviction in any other state for DUI. or a similar offense where the cause of action is the same or substantially similar to the Illinois Vehicle Code or a driver's license suspension or revocation for violating election section 11501.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code except in cases uh from the unlawful consumption of cannabis except for cases were you submitted to chemical test or testing disclosed in alcohol concentration of 008 or more or more than any amount of any other drug substance or in contemplating intoxicating compound resulting in the unlawful use of consumption of cannabis is listed in the cannabis control act uh for a DUI prior to 729 of 2016 or a delta 9 tetrahydroanabal concentration of either 5 nanogs or more of whole blood or 10 nanogs or more of bodily substance for DUI on an arrest after 729 of 2016. A controlled substance is listed in the Illinois Controlled Substance Act. An intoxicating compound is listed in the use of Intoxicating Compounds Act or methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Convenient Protection Act and were subsequently found not guilty of the associate DUI charge. Considering the above, you're warned if you refuse or fail to complete all chemical tests requested. And if you're a first-time offender, your driving privileges will be suspended for a minimum of 12 months. If you're not a first- time offender, your driving privileges will be suspended for a minimum of three years. Uh, if you were involved in a motor vehicle accident that caused a personal injury of another, your driving privileges will be revoked for a minimum of 12 months. Personal injury is a type A injury that requires immediate professional attention in a doctor's office or medical facility, including severely bleeding wounds, distorted extremities, and injuries that require the injured party to be carried away from the scene. Two, if you submit a chemical test, your test disc is closing of an alcohol concentration of 008 or more, a delta 9 tetrahydroanabanol concentration of either 5 nanogs or more of whole blood or 10 nanogs or more of other bodily substances or any amount of any other controlled substances listed in the Illinois Controlled substance act and intoxicating compound as listed in the use of intoxicating compounds act or methamphetamine as listed in the use of methamphetamine control and community protection act. Uh if you're a first-time offender, your driving privileges will be suspended for a minimum of six months. If you're not a first-time offender, your driving privileges will be suspended for a minimum of a year. You're further warned that if you're a CDL, commercial driver's license holder, your CDL privileges will be disqualified for the following periods of time if you refuse to or fail to complete chemical test requested or submit to a chemical test or test disclosing an alcohol concentration of 008 or more. substances or intoxicating comp compounds resulting in the unlawful use of consumption of cannabis as listed in the cannabis control act or use controlled substances listed in the Illinois controlled substances act and intoxicating compounds as listed in the use of intoxicating compounds act or methamphetamine is listed in the methamphetamine control community protection act. Uh if you have not had a prior 12-month disqualification of your CDL your CDL privileges will be disqualified for 12 months. If you have had a prior 12-month disqualification of your CDL privileges, your CDL privileges will be disqualified for life.