BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. — A 10-year-old boy was driving up to 90 mph when he crashed a van carrying two adults who had been drinking and taking pills and two other children, Tennessee sheriff's deputies said.
Inside the crashed van, police said one of the passengers, 38-year-old Paula Elaine Evans, was trying to swallow as many pills as she could. A man, 43-year-old Randy Lewis, who was wearing a shirt that read "Buy This Dad a Beer," told police he had drank at least 15 beers, the Kingsport Times-News reported.
The sheriff's office said Lewis acknowledged drinking liquor besides the beers.
The young driver lost control Sunday of the speeding van, which rolled, coming to rest on its top. Everyone in the van was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
The children were related to the adults, but authorities did not specify how.
Lewis was charged with seven violations, including third offense DUI and felony reckless endangerment. People can be charged with DUI in Tennessee if they own the vehicle, even if they are not driving. Evans faces charges that include aggravated child abuse or neglect.
The three children — the driver, another 10-year-old and a six-year-old — were placed in state care, the Times-News reported.
Lewis and Evans were being held in the Sullivan County Jail after a judge increased their bonds on Tuesday to $50,000 each at an arraignment hearing.
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