Police: Woman drove into wall, nearly ran over own children

COCOA BEACH, Fla. — A Cape Canaveral woman is in custody after police say she crashed her vehicle twice and nearly ran over her own children while driving drunk.

Rebekah Whitehead is facing charges for driving under the influence, fleeing, leaving the scene of a crash, resisting an officer and child abuse, according to Cocoa Beach police.

Police said they were called Thursday night, shortly after Whitehead crashed into a wall near some homes off Ocean Beach Boulevard.

"The whole entire incident was a complete shock," said an eyewitness.

The eyewitness told Channel 9 Eyewitness News' Melonie Holt that she tried to stop Whitehead from driving off several times before police were called. She said she didn't stop Whitehead, but she did help look after Whitehead's children.

"I'm glad they were able to get out of the car and we were able to keep them safe," said the eyewitness.

According to police records, after Whitehead hit a wall, her children, both under age 10, got out of the car.

Reports said she yelled for them to get back inside, but they stood behind a witness.

Police said Whitehead accelerated toward all of them before taking off.

An officer tried and failed to stop Whitehead at the intersection of St. Lucie Lane and North Atlantic Avenue, police said.

She was eventually stopped on East Volusia Lane, but not before police said she side-swiped another vehicle.

Department of Children and Families representatives said the Whitehead is not allowed contact with her children, who are in the care of relatives.

WFTV