16-02-2025
DUI mother arrested in Northern California after son texts 911 for help, police say
( — A mother was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence after her 18-year-old son texted 911 for help.
Around 3 p.m. on Thursday, the Redding Police Department received a report of a DUI driver in a white 2020 Chevy Tahoe on E. Cypress Avenue near Larkspur Lane. The driver was later identified as Darlene Steiger, 43, of Redding.
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Steiger's son reported that she had just picked up him and his siblings, ages 11 and 13, after school and believed she was drunk. He reportedly sent text messages to 911 asking for help while he and his siblings were passengers in the vehicle being driven by Steiger.
RPD located Steiger's vehicle at the intersection of Churn Creek Road and E. Cypress Avenue. An officer attempted to pull Steiger over but she failed to yield, according to RPD. Subsequently, a police chase was initiated. It ended after an officer successfully deployed a pursuit prevention device that deflated the right rear tire of Steiger's vehicle, forcing it to come to a stop at an intersection.
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Despite the flat tire, police said Steiger continued to flee from police with her children in the vehicle. She finally stopped her vehicle at a family member's residence on Phobos Court, but fled on foot, leaving her children behind in the vehicle.
Steiger was apprehended as she attempted to enter the sideyard of the residence, according to RPD. Her blood alcohol content was reportedly more than three times the legal limit. She was arrested and booked into the Shasta County Jail.
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